Frontier Community College: $4,390 Tuition

$4,390Tuition

292Students

53%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,533Earnings

#18 in IllinoisPublic2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Frontier Community College

Frontier Community College serves just 292 students in rural southeastern Illinois, making it one of the smaller community colleges in the state. The college has built its reputation around practical workforce training and agricultural programs that serve the local farming community. Nearly 92% of students come from Illinois, reflecting the school's deep roots in the region. With its remote town setting, Frontier offers a close-knit learning environment where students know their classmates and professors personally.

The financial picture tells a straightforward story about affordability and realistic expectations. Students typically pay around $10,611 after aid, though those from lower-income families see net prices drop to $8,501. Graduates earn a median of $37,533 ten years after starting, making the typical monthly loan payment of just $69 very manageable. The low median debt of $6,500 reflects both the school's affordability and the practical nature of its programs.

Student life revolves around a tight community where women make up nearly 60% of enrollment. The college fields three NJCAA sports with 71 total athletes sharing $252,325 in athletic scholarships. Most telling is the 95.7% employment rate, showing that Frontier successfully prepares students for immediate work in their local economy.

Academics & Faculty

Frontier Community College serves rural southern Illinois with practical career training and transfer programs. The 31:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes typical of budget-conscious community colleges, though the small enrollment of 292 students creates a tight-knit campus atmosphere. The school focuses on workforce development for the agricultural region, offering programs in farming technology, healthcare support, and skilled trades. Students can complete associate degrees or certificates before entering the job market or transferring to four-year universities. The 53% graduation rate reflects challenges common among rural community colleges, where many students attend part-time while working or managing family responsibilities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 31:1
Full-Time Faculty: 21.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 53.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,533

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$20,140

View all 30 programs →

Campus Life

Frontier Community College serves 292 students in Fairfield, a town of 5,000 people in southeastern Illinois farm country. The nearest major city, Evansville, Indiana, sits about 90 minutes away. Women make up 60% of the student body, and nearly 92% of students come from Illinois. The college operates as a commuter campus with no residential housing, so students drive in from surrounding rural communities for classes.

Winters here require heavy coats and boots as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February. The student-faculty ratio of 31:1 means larger class sizes than typical for community colleges. With only 71 athletes across three sports programs, the athletic scene stays small and tight-knit. Most students work part-time jobs while attending classes, contributing to the 95.7% employment rate. Weekends often mean heading home to family farms or part-time jobs rather than campus activities. The rural setting creates a quiet, focused environment where students know their classmates and instructors personally despite the larger class sizes.

Setting: Town-Remote
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 21°–39°F
July Avg: 65°–87°F
Annual Precipitation: 44.3"
Annual Snowfall: 12.8"

Student Demographics

Frontier Community College draws primarily from southern Illinois, with 92% of its 292 students coming from in-state. The student body is 60% female, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's nursing and allied health programs that have built its reputation in the region. Most students come from working-class families in rural Wayne County and surrounding areas. The college serves as an accessible stepping stone for local high school graduates seeking career training or transfer preparation. White students make up 89% of enrollment, mirroring the demographics of southeastern Illinois farming communities.

Men: 40.1%
Women: 59.9%
White: 88.7%
Black: 2.7%
Hispanic: 4.1%
Asian: 1.4%
In-State Students: 91.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 7.6%

Location

Fairfield sits in southeastern Illinois, about 120 miles southeast of St. Louis. This small town of roughly 5,000 residents anchors Wayne County in a predominantly rural region known for agriculture and oil production. The area features rolling farmland dotted with small communities that have served Illinois's heartland for generations. With 91.77% of students coming from in-state, Frontier draws heavily from local farming families and working-class households across southern Illinois. The college serves as an educational center for students who want to stay close to home while pursuing career training or preparing for four-year transfers. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Frontier Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Fairfield, Illinois 62837

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,533
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,867
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 59.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $69/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $6,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Frontier Community College?

Frontier Community College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, serving 292 students in rural Illinois. The college focuses on providing accessible higher education to local residents, with 91.77% of students coming from in-state.

How much does Frontier Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,611 after aid, though costs vary by family income. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay around $8,501, while the monthly loan payment for graduates averages just $69.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Frontier Community College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 31:1, which is higher than typical for community colleges. This reflects the college's small size of 292 students and its focus on efficient delivery of career-oriented programs in rural southeastern Illinois.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Frontier Community College?

Graduates achieve a strong 95.7% employment rate within six years of completion. The median earnings reach $37,533 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's emphasis on practical workforce preparation for the local economy.

Where is Frontier Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Fairfield, Illinois, a remote town setting that creates a tight-knit community atmosphere. With 59.93% female students and 88.70% white enrollment, the campus reflects the demographics of rural southeastern Illinois.

Does Frontier Community College offer athletic scholarships?

The college provides $252,325 in athletic scholarships across three NJCAA varsity sports programs. With 71 total student-athletes, Frontier offers opportunities for athletic participation despite its small enrollment of 292 students.