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Cheapest History Colleges in Illinois

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

Millikin University breaks the mold for private college affordability, offering a net price of just $8,837 for History majors despite a sticker price of $26,892. This places the Decatur institution below many public alternatives in Illinois, where History program costs range dramatically from under $9,000 to nearly $17,000 annually. The earnings picture tells an equally complex story, with Northern Illinois University graduates commanding $36,437 compared to Eastern Illinois University's $26,121. Illinois presents particular opportunities for History graduates through its finance sector in Chicago, where banks and investment firms value analytical skills developed through historical research and writing. The state's MAP Grant program helps bridge funding gaps for qualifying students, making programs at schools like University of Illinois Springfield more accessible at $8,916 net cost. Graduation rates vary significantly across institutions, from Chicago State's 16.90% to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's impressive 84.90%, suggesting that choosing the right program involves weighing both cost and completion likelihood.
46
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$30,402
Avg. Program Earnings
58.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

46 History Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
3 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
4 $10,133 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
5 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
6 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
7 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
8 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
9 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
10 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
11 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
12 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
13 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
14 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
15 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
16 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
17 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
18 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
19 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
20 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
21 $18,034 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
22 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
23 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
24 $18,967 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
25 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
26 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
27 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
28 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
29 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
30 $21,386 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
31 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
32 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
33 $22,048 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
34 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
35 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
36 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
37 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
38 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
39 $24,875 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
40 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
41 $26,984 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
42 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
43 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
44 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
45 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
46 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Millikin University so affordable despite being private?

Millikin University provides substantial financial aid that reduces its $26,892 sticker price to just $8,837 net cost for students. This private institution in Decatur offers better affordability than many public options in Illinois. The school maintains a 75.40% acceptance rate and 59.10% graduation rate, making it accessible while delivering reasonable completion outcomes.

How do earnings compare between different Illinois History programs?

Northern Illinois University leads with $36,437 in median earnings for History graduates, significantly outpacing Eastern Illinois University at $26,121. University of Illinois Springfield and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale both report $28,236 in graduate earnings. The $10,000+ earnings gap between top and bottom programs suggests that institutional reputation and location matter for career outcomes.

Is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign worth the higher cost?

UIUC commands a $15,201 net price but delivers an 84.90% graduation rate, the highest among Illinois History programs. Graduates earn $31,314 annually with relatively low debt at $18,066. The acceptance rate of 44.82% makes admission competitive, but completion and earning outcomes justify the premium for qualified students.

What explains the low graduation rates at some schools?

Chicago State University and Northeastern Illinois University both show graduation rates below 17%, significantly trailing the state average. Governors State University also struggles at 19.60% completion. These institutions serve different student populations with varying academic preparation and life circumstances that affect degree completion timelines and success rates.

Where do Illinois MAP Grants provide the most value?

MAP Grants offer maximum benefit at public institutions like University of Illinois Springfield, where the $8,916 net cost includes state aid consideration. Schools like Western Illinois University at $11,592 and Eastern Illinois at $14,093 also represent strong MAP Grant value propositions. Private colleges typically have higher base costs that limit MAP Grant impact despite generous institutional aid.

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