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Cheapest Philosophy Colleges in Illinois

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

Millikin University breaks the private college cost barrier for Philosophy students, delivering an $8,837 net price that undercuts most public universities in Illinois. This Decatur institution manages to keep costs low while maintaining a 59.1% graduation rate, creating an unusual value proposition in a state where private colleges typically charge significantly more. The University of Illinois Springfield follows closely at $8,916, demonstrating that both private and public sectors can make philosophical education accessible. Philosophy graduates in Illinois earn around $28,598 annually, positioning them well for careers in the state's expanding legal services sector and Chicago's corporate consulting market. The cost spread across Illinois Philosophy programs reaches nearly $10,000, with net prices ranging from Millikin's basement rate to over $16,000 at schools like Concordia University-Chicago. Students benefit from Illinois MAP Grant funding, which particularly helps at public universities where in-state tuition starts around $12,000.
39
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$30,129
Avg. Program Earnings
61.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

39 Philosophy 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 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
4 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
5 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
6 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
7 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
8 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
9 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
10 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
11 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
12 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
13 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
14 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
15 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
16 $17,610 $15,400 58.2%
17 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
18 $18,034 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
19 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
20 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
21 $18,967 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
22 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
23 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
24 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
25 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
26 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
27 $21,386 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
28 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
29 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
30 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
31 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
32 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
33 $24,875 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
34 $26,984 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
35 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
36 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
37 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
38 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
39 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Millikin University so affordable for Philosophy students?

Millikin University offers the lowest net price at $8,837 despite being a private institution with a sticker price of $26,892. The school provides substantial financial aid that reduces actual costs below most public universities in Illinois. With a 75.4% acceptance rate and 59.1% graduation rate, Millikin maintains accessibility while delivering solid outcomes for Philosophy majors.

How do public university costs compare for Philosophy programs in Illinois?

Public universities in Illinois charge net prices ranging from $8,916 at University of Illinois Springfield to $16,177 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Most public institutions fall between $11,000-$15,000 for net costs. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stands out with an 84.9% graduation rate and the highest earnings data at $28,598 for Philosophy graduates.

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

UIUC charges $15,201 net price but delivers an strong 84.9% graduation rate, significantly higher than most Illinois schools. Philosophy graduates earn $28,598 annually with relatively low debt of $18,413. The school's 44.82% acceptance rate reflects selectivity, but the outcomes justify the investment for students who gain admission.

Does location within Illinois affect Philosophy program costs?

Chicago-area schools like Saint Xavier University and University of Illinois Chicago charge $12,093 and $12,313 respectively, while smaller cities often cost less. Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago has the lowest graduation rate at just 16.8% despite moderate costs. Rural campuses like Western Illinois University in Macomb offer middle-range pricing at $11,592 with reasonable outcomes.

Where can Philosophy students find the best graduation rates in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with an 84.9% graduation rate, followed by Augustana College at 79.2%. Most schools cluster between 44-63% graduation rates, with significant variation across institution types. Trinity Christian College achieves 63.9% despite its small size, while larger public universities show mixed results ranging from 45-61%.

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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.