Prairie State College

In 2021, tuition for full-time Prairie State College students was $8,610 a year for in-state students and $10,332 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Does Prairie State College Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Prairie State College is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $8,610 for in-state students who attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as Illinois residents.

Attending a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Take the time to verify your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Is Prairie State College's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Prairie State College is the same for all students.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or Prairie State College-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Prairie State College:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsidePrairie State College •Athletic Awards •Prairie State College-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Prairie State College Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Prairie State College.

Room and Board Costs at Prairie State College

Board costs vary based on on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Prairie State College?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Prairie State College

The cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation.

Where are a college is located can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city might be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Prairie State Collegeis in a suburban setting in Illinois, not far from Chicago.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Prairie State College

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Prairie State College.

How Much Does Prairie State College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Prairie State College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$8,610
Out-of-State Tuition	$10,332

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Prairie State College Financial Aid

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In 2022, 0 of the 5,854 undergrads enrolled received financial aid.

Most Common Loans for Prairie State College Students

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Prairie State College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Prairie State College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

Net Cost of Prairie State College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Prairie State College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Prairie State College seem more manageable.

What will attending Prairie State College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Prairie State College's net cost calculator on their website.

Prairie State College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Prairie State College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Prairie State College

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

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