Cost to Attend
We know that cost is an important factor when choosing a college or university. That’s why Eastern Illinois University works hard to keep higher education affordable. Our Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will assist you in finding and applying for the right scholarships, grants, work-study jobs and/or loans.
Our students save an average of $1500 using textbook rental!
In the 2023-2024 school year more than $56 million in scholarships and awards were given to EIU students. (That's over $11,800 per student on average!)
Get a personalized net-cost estimate at eiu.edu/cost and see just how affordable EIU is!
We're consistently ranked among the best value schools in the nation, and we're proud to have the lowest cost of attendance among all Illinois public universities. We're committed to making education affordable and accessible for you and your family!
The average college course is 3 or 4 credit hours. Most students take between 12–16 credit hours per semester or about 30 per year to meet the Bachelors Degree requirement of 120 credit hours.
Undergraduate 2025-2026 Costs (Before Aid)
| Cost Item | Per credit hour | Academic Year (30 Credit Hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $347.65 | $10,429.50 |
| Student Fees | $140.80 | $4,224.00 |
| Food and Housing (All Access Plan) | $13,020.00 | |
| 2025-2026 Cost | $488.45 | $27,673.50 |
Tuition
Per Credit Hour: $347.65
Academic Year (30 Credit Hours): $10,429.50
Food and Housing (Unlimited Meal Plan)
Academic Year (30 Credit Hours): $13,020.00
2025-2026 Cost
Per Credit Hour: $488.45
Academic Year (30 Credit Hours): $27,673.50
When computing the financial aid budget seen on your award letter, an estimated average of 3 years costs is used. We also include the all-access meal plan to allow for 3 meals a day. The most popular meal plan is the 12+ option. You can decide what will work best for you.
Other indirect costs includes other everyday expenses students might incur. Examples include: gas money, school supplies, costs for toiletries, etc., or social activities. These expenses vary from student to student and will NOT be charged to the Eastern bill; they can be covered through parental support, student employment, or savings. Federal loan fees of $100 are also allowed in the budget. Please borrow wisely.