Get a better education for a state school price.
With the IC Advantage Plus program, you’ll get the same (or better) value as other four-year schools, public or private, while gaining the benefits of IC’s 200 years of bold innovation and opportunity. Don't let tuition assumptions stand in the way of your dream career; take advantage of generous scholarships and financial aid, plus so much more.
On campus students:
+ Earn a minimum of $20,000 in scholarships, which you keep all four years.
+ Illinois residents with a 3.0 GPA will have 100% of their financial need met.
+ Graduate in four years or we cover the cost of your remaining courses.
+ Textbooks are included in tuition.
+ You'll get early access to internships, research experiences, and international travel that will prepare you for success.
*See details below
The Midwest's #1 Best Value
Illinois College doesn't just promise exceptional value — U.S. News & World Report ranks IC the #1 Best Value School in the Midwest for 2027.
IC Advantage Plus makes that value possible through generous scholarships, predictable costs and guarantees designed to help you make the most of your investment.
Affordability
As an incoming first-year on campus student at Illinois College, you will be awarded a minimum of $20,000 in scholarships, regardless of your family’s income, that will be renewed annually. IC graduates have lower debt than the national average. Additionally, IC’s tuition has increased an average of 2.1% over the last five years, well below the national average of 3.3% for private colleges and universities, according to the US Department of Education.
Our pledge for Illinois students
Illinois residents can expect100% of your financial need is met. Once you're admitted to the College, file the FAFSA, and have a 3.0 GPA. If scholarships and financial aid — which includes grants, loans, and work study — don’t meet your financial need determined by the FAFSA, Illinois College will provide additional scholarships and resources to bridge the gap.
Big savings with Finish in 4
Our Finish in 4 program is our guarantee that you will graduate in four years or we cover the cost of your remaining courses at IC. With each additional year spent earning your degree costing you an average of nearly $70,000 in lost wages and tuition, so attending a college with a Finish in 4 promise will have a big impact on your future.
Textbooks included in tuition
Don’t like unexpected costs? Neither do we. That’s why our upfront tuition includes the cost of textbooks. Books and supplies today range from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 per semester, but at IC you won’t have to worry about being able to afford the course materials you need for success.
Interested in learning more?
Contact our Office of Admission at admissions@ic.edu or 217.245.3030 to start the conversation!
*DETAILS :: Students must meet the following requirements for the Advantage Plus program:
- Financial need, and eligibility for need-based financial aid, is determined by filing the FAFSA. Students must file the FAFSA annually at fafsa.gov using IC's federal school code 001688.
- Must be a legal resident of Illinois and eligible to receive Title IV funding. All GPA eligibility will be determined using a 4.0 scale. Non-Illinois residents still receive a minimum of $20,000 in Illinois College funding and may receive additional funding from IC and federal sources.
- Must enroll as first-time, first-year on-campus students.
- Illinois College scholarships and grants are renewable at the same level for four years.
- Some scholarships may require a student to reside in on-campus housing.