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Cheapest Engineering Technology Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Western Illinois University delivers the state's most affordable Engineering Technology program at just $11,592 net cost, while graduates earn $60,771 annually. This creates an impressive return on investment for students entering Illinois' manufacturing sector, which employs over 580,000 workers across automotive, machinery, and food processing industries. The $19,286 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options reflects the stark difference between public and private institutions, with Northern Illinois University offering similar value at $12,909.
7
Programs
$11,592 – $30,878
Net Price Range
$52,496
Avg. Program Earnings
52.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Engineering Technology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
2 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
3 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
4 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
5 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
6 $24,326 $19,900 66.7%
7 $30,878 $17,488 36.9% 43.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Western Illinois University's program such a strong value?

Students pay only $11,592 net cost but earn $60,771 after graduation, creating one of the best cost-to-earnings ratios among Illinois engineering technology programs. The university maintains a 75% acceptance rate while producing graduates who significantly outperform the state average salary for this field.

How do graduation rates compare across the most affordable options?

The three cheapest schools show varying completion rates, with Eastern Illinois at 45.2%, Western Illinois at 44.8%, and Northern Illinois leading at 49.6%. Despite lower graduation rates, Western and Northern Illinois graduates command higher starting salaries than programs with better completion statistics.

Does attending a private institution provide better outcomes?

Morrison Institute of Technology charges $24,326 but achieves a 66.7% graduation rate, the highest among all programs. However, DeVry University costs $30,878 with only a 36.9% graduation rate and 43% acceptance rate, making it the least accessible option despite being private.

More Engineering Technology, General Rankings

Best Value Engineering Technology, General in Illinois Engineering Technology, General Under $20,000 in Illinois

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All Engineering Technology, General Programs Best Colleges in Illinois Best Engineering Technology, General in Illinois

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.