Tuition and Fees
Cost of attendance is based on enrollment status.
Cost Per Credit Hour (through Summer 2026)
| Residency Status | Tuition and Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| In-District Residents and Companies | $143.50 tuition + $30.50 fee = $174 per credit hour | |
| Illinois Out-of-District Residents | $368.75 tuition + $30.50 fee = $399.25 per credit hour | |
| Lake County, Indiana Residents | $183.50 tuition + $30.50 fee = $214 per credit hour | |
| Out-of-State/International Students | $440.50 tuition + $30.50 fee = $471.00 per credit hour |
Cost Per Credit Hour (effective Fall 2026)
| Residency Status | Tuition and Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| In District Residents and Companies | $153.50 tuition + $38.50 fee = $192 per credit hour | |
| Illinois Out-of-District Residents | $378.25 tuition + $38.50 fee = $416.75 per credit hour | |
| Lake County, Indiana Residents | $193.50 tuition + $38.50 fee = $232 per credit hour | |
| Out-of-State/International Students | $450.50 tuition + $38.50 fee = $489 per credit hour |
Fees
A general student fee of $30.50 per credit hour helps support tutoring and academic
support, campus technology, student services, facilities and learning spaces, and
wellness and food resources. Effective Fall 2026, this fee will increase to $38.50
per credit hour. Expand the fields below for a breakdown of current fees.
$4.00 ($3.50 per credit hour; $.50 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference)
This fee is allocated to support PSC athletic programs and facilities.
$2.00 per credit hour
This fee is allocated to support our education fund which is for costs directly related to student educational programs.
$.25 per credit hour
This fee is allocated to support extra activities, like student government.
There is a $75.00 per credit hour surcharge for Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Surgical Technology classes.
$9.00 per credit hour
This fee is allocated to support the cost of maintaining buildings, parking lots, and grounds.
There is a $20.00 fee per online course.
$.25 per credit hour
This fee is allocated to support student organizations.
$15.00 per credit hour
This fee is allocated to support the technology systems and upgrades for technology services and equipment.
Additional Fees
A $10 non-refundable registration fee will be applied to your student account when you enroll in classes each semester. There is a $20 fee if you register after a course begins. A $25 re-enrollment fee will be applied to your account if you are dropped for non-payment and would like to re-enroll. Re-registration is subject to course availability. Some courses require an additional lab fee. Depending on the course, fees range from $5 to $65 per semester. Please refer to the current semester course schedule to view fees for specific courses.
Special Tuition Discounts
Senior citizens (65 years of age or older) who reside in Illinois Community College District 515 are permitted to enroll in any credit course (on a graded basis only) offered at PSC at no charge for tuition. However, if you wish to audit a course, full tuition payment is required. Payment will be required for any necessary books, laboratory fees, or materials used in classes. You must present proof of age at the Enrollment Services Office.
If you are employed full-time by an in-district employer but live outside our district, you may attend PSC at the lower in-district tuition rates. A signed affidavit from your employer is required. Contact Records and Registration at (708) 709-3516 for more information.
If you do not qualify for VA benefits and are within three years of leaving the military,
you pay in-district tuition and fees. Click here to view information for VA Benefits.
For more information on the above discounts, contact Records and Registration at (708) 709-3516. Note: For all tuition discounts, a $10 registration fee applies.
Tuition Cost Comparison
| Name of Institution | 2025-26 Tuition and Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie State College | $5,568* | |
| Governors State University | $15,3562 | |
| Illinois State University | $16,2123 | |
| Northern Illinois University | $13,7924 | |
| Purdue University Northwest | $12,967.905 | |
| University of Illinois Chicago | $14,818-19,4306 | |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $16,866-$21,9607 | |
| Chamberlain Tinley Park (BSN program only) | $22,650+ | |
| Rasmussen (BSN program only) | $19,791++ |
* Based on 16 credit hours per semester. Tuition differentials vary by academic program. Cost does not include room and board, meal plans or cost of living.
2 per https://www.govst.edu/tuition
3 per https://financialaid.
4 per https://www.niu.edu/
5 per https://www.pnw.edu/bursar/
6 Based on 30 credit/year, per https://registrar.uic.edu/
7 per https://www.admissions.
+ per https://www.chamberlain.edu/
++ per https://www.rasmussen.edu/
Calculating the Cost to Attend PSC
The cost of attendance (COA) or financial aid budget is an estimate of the annual costs to attend PSC full time for two semesters.
The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of the annual costs to attend and shows you the possible costs you may experience but does not reflect actual out-of-pocket costs.
BUDGET
Use this budget to estimate your expenses based on a full-time attendance of 12 credit hours during Fall and Spring semesters:
| Budget Component | Dependent Student | Independent Student | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition/Fees | $4,176 | $4,176 | ||
| Living Expenses (including Food & Housing) | $6,318 | $7,516 | ||
| Books/Supplies/Equipment | $2,500 | $2,500 | ||
| Transportation | $1,630 | $1,630 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $4,574 | $4,574 | ||
| * Stafford Loan Fees (if borrowed) | $50 | $50 | ||
| Total | $19,198 |
$20,396 |
* Not included in the total estimated cost of attendance
Cost of attendance factors such as child care, cost of attaining professional licensures/certifications, study abroad and disability related expenses can be taken into consideration with the submission of the proper paperwork. Please contact the Financial Aid office for more details.
Out-of-District Full-Time Budget
| Budget Component | Dependent Student | Independent Student | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition/Fees | $9,342 | $9,342 | ||
| Living Expenses (including Food & Housing) | $6,318 | $7,516 | ||
| Books/Supplies/Equipment | $2500 | $2,500 | ||
| Transportation | $1,630 | $1,630 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $4,574 | $4,574 | ||
| * Stafford Loan Fees (if borrowed) | $50 | $50 | ||
| Total | $26,086 |
$27,284 |
* Not included in the total estimated cost of attendance
Cost of attendance factors such as child care, cost of attaining professional licensures/certifications, study abroad, and disability related expenses can be taken into consideration with the submission of the proper paperwork. Please contact the Financial Aid office for more details.
Please note: The cost of attendance sets a cap on the amount of financial aid (grants and loans) you may receive. In addition, you are not guaranteed to receive enough financial aid to meet your full cost of attendance. To fill in the gaps, we also recommend that you apply for scholarships. Start your scholarship journey with the Prairie State College Foundation.