Skip to main content

Cheapest Information Science/Studies Colleges in Illinois

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

Saint Xavier University delivers Information Science education for just $12,093 in net costs, making it the most affordable option among Illinois programs by a significant margin. This cost advantage becomes striking when compared to Northwestern University at $27,143, creating a $15,000 annual gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. Illinois students benefit from the state's technology sector growth, particularly in Chicago where financial services and healthcare organizations increasingly rely on information professionals to manage data systems and digital infrastructure. The University of Illinois Chicago offers strong value at $12,313 with graduates earning $54,835 annually, while Southern Illinois University-Carbondale provides the lowest median debt burden. Public universities generally cost less upfront, with in-state tuition ranging from $13,244 to $16,004, though private institutions often provide substantial financial aid packages.
15
Programs
$12,093 – $29,141
Net Price Range
$63,496
Avg. Program Earnings
62.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Information Science/Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
2 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
3 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
4 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
5 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
6 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
7 $18,470 $13,546 40.0%
8 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
9 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
10 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
11 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
12 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
13 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
14 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
15 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $15,000 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Saint Xavier University costs $12,093 annually while Northwestern University reaches $27,143, reflecting different institutional models and financial aid approaches. Private colleges like Saint Xavier often provide substantial need-based aid to bring net costs below their $36,840 sticker price. Northwestern's higher net cost comes with benefits including a 95.9% graduation rate and $83,546 median earnings. Students must weigh immediate affordability against long-term career outcomes when making these decisions.

How do public university costs compare for Illinois residents?

Public institutions charge Illinois residents between $13,244 and $16,004 in tuition, with net costs after aid ranging from $12,313 to $16,177. University of Illinois Chicago provides strong value at $12,313 net cost with graduates earning $54,835 annually. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale offers the lowest debt burden among public options, though graduation rates vary significantly. The MAP Grant program helps qualifying Illinois students reduce these costs further at participating schools.

Is financial aid making private colleges competitive with public tuition rates?

Saint Xavier University demonstrates how private aid packages can compete directly with public costs, offering a $12,093 net price despite $36,840 list tuition. Dominican University brings costs to $15,113 while maintaining a 62.4% graduation rate and 89.5% acceptance rate. However, students should verify aid packages annually since these figures represent averages. Private colleges often provide more predictable aid for four years compared to state funding fluctuations.

Where do Information Science graduates find the best earning potential relative to costs?

University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn $54,835 with just $14,149 median debt, creating favorable return on investment ratios. Northwestern University produces the highest earners at $83,546 annually, though students graduate with $11,425 debt on average. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale offers the most modest earning expectations at $52,107 but also the lowest total educational investment. Chicago's finance and healthcare sectors provide strong employment opportunities for information professionals across all salary ranges.

More Information Science/Studies Rankings

Best Value Information Science/Studies in Illinois Information Science/Studies Under $20,000 in Illinois

Related

All Information Science/Studies Programs Best Colleges in Illinois Best Information Science/Studies in Illinois

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