2021 Best Affordable Colleges for International Students in Illinois
45
Colleges
$29,442
Avg Tuition & Fees*
45%
Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*
When it comes to choosing a college, international students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Value Colleges for International Students in Illinois ranking is part of that endeavor.
Our analysis looked at 45 schools in Illinois to determine which ones were the best for international students in Illinois. Our ranking is based on several objective factors, including the school's overall value and the total number of international students at the school. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another.
Learn more about our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
We know that one set of rankings doesn't always help you determine the best school for you, so we've created the ability to narrow your list by location as well as alternative rankings that prioritize different factors such as those of importance to online students or returning adults or those who value diversity and overall quality.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Top Value Colleges in Illinois for International Students
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our 2021 rankings named University of Illinois at Springfield the best affordable school for international students in Illinois working on their bachelor’s degree. UIS is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 607 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 6.2% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at UIS are India, China, and Saudi Arabia. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UIS runs, on average, about $18,857. Graduate students pay around $16,757 a year in average tuition and fees.
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Out of the 45 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #2 spot on the list. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,076 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 3.0% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at EIU come from such countries as India, China, and Nigeria. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at EIU runs, on average, about $14,551. Graduate students pay around $21,407 a year in average tuition and fees.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #3 in this year’s ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 3,080 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 4.4% are international. Students studying at NIU come from such countries as India, China, and Saudi Arabia. International students at NIU can expect to pay, on average, about $14,738 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $11,390 a year in average tuition and fees.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #4 in this year’s ranking. Located in Normal, Illinois, the large public school handed out 4,745 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 2.6% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as India, Panama, and China come to Illinois State to study. International students at Illinois State can expect to pay, on average, about $24,172 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $11,773 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Illinois State University Report
A rank of #5 on our list means Western Illinois University is a great place for international students in Illinois working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Macomb, Illinois, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,560 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 3.4% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at WIU are India, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at WIU is about $13,297 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $12,182 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Western Illinois University Report
With a ranking of #6, Principia College did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Elsah, Illinois, and it awarded 102 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 20.9% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Principia come from such countries as Kenya, Canada, and Brazil. International students at Principia can expect to pay, on average, about $30,820 a year to attend the school.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full Principia College Report
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. This large public school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 9,305 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 19.2% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as China, India, and South Korea come to UIUC to study. International students at UIUC can expect to pay, on average, about $37,632 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $30,862 per year.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large public school awarded 5,247 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Around 10.4% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as India, China, and Iran come to UIC to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UIC runs, on average, about $30,370. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,468 per year.
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Bradley University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 1,287 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 3.1% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Bradley are India, China, and Sudan. International students at Bradley can expect to pay, on average, about $36,360 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $17,400 a year in average tuition and fees.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 2,476 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 8.1% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at SIUC are India, Saudi Arabia, and China. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at SIUC is about $15,240 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $33,064 per year.
Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Report
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 661 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 5.7% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at Wheaton College Illinois are China, South Korea, and Philippines. International students at Wheaton College Illinois can expect to pay, on average, about $40,820 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,096 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on Wheaton College Illinois
Lewis University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. Lewis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Romeoville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,119 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 2.5% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Lewis are Saudi Arabia, India, and China. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Lewis is about $35,472 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $14,960 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Lewis University Report
Governors State University landed the #13 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois. This small public school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 796 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 3.2% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at GSU come from such countries as India, China, and Nigeria. International students at GSU can expect to pay, on average, about $17,620 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $14,674 per year.
Full Governors State University Report
Illinois College landed the #14 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois. Located in Jacksonville, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 296 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 2.9% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at Illinois College are Nigeria, China, and Ghana. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Illinois College runs, on average, about $35,302. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $9,100 per year.
Read full report on Illinois College
North Park University landed the #15 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois. North Park University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 435 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 4.3% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Sweden, Norway, and China come to North Park to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at North Park is about $33,050 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $14,184 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on North Park University
Dominican University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 547 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 1.5% are international. Students from as far away as Saudi Arabia, China, and Thailand come to Dominican U to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Dominican U is about $35,420 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $20,413 a year in average tuition and fees.
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Trinity Christian College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. Located in Palos Heights, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 336 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Around 4.0% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as South Korea, China, and Netherlands come to Trinity Christian to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Trinity Christian is about $33,275 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $10,708 per year.
Full Trinity Christian College Report
With a ranking of #18, University of St Francis did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 461 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 2.0% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as China, Saudi Arabia, and India come to University of Saint Francis to study. International students at University of Saint Francis can expect to pay, on average, about $35,000 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $13,839 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on University of St Francis
Judson University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 201 students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 7.4% are international. Students from as far away as India, Brazil, and South Korea come to Judson to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Judson runs, on average, about $29,870. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $16,314 per year.
Read full report on Judson University
Chicago State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 316 students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.4% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at CSU are India, Canada, and China. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at CSU runs, on average, about $11,204. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $15,218 per year.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
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DePaul University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3,335 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 5.1% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as China, India, and Saudi Arabia come to DePaul to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at DePaul is about $42,012 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $18,341 a year in average tuition and fees.
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North Central College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 751 students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 2.9% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Japan, China, and Vietnam come to North Central to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at North Central runs, on average, about $42,206. Graduate students pay around $15,822 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on North Central College
McKendree University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Lebanon, Illinois, and it awarded 447 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.9% are international. Students from as far away as Canada, United Kingdom, and New Zealand come to McKendree to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at McKendree is about $33,050 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $9,756 per year.
Read full report on McKendree University
Monmouth College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois list. Monmouth is a private not-for-profit institution located in Monmouth, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 242 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 2.7% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Ghana, Syria, and Australia come to Monmouth to study. International students at Monmouth can expect to pay, on average, about $41,390 a year to attend the school.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
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Concordia University, Chicago came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in Illinois ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 416 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Around 3.3% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Concordia University, Chicago are India, Saudi Arabia, and China. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Concordia University, Chicago is about $34,310 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $9,378 per year.
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