Cost of Attendance
Undergraduate 2025-2026 Costs (Before Aid)
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.
The charts below give a good idea of what it will cost to live and learn at Eastern Illinois University.
These charts reflect maximum educational costs allowed for financial aid purposes. In addition to
tuition/fees and food/housing (living expenses) the cost of attendance includes other allowable expenses
such as supplies, travel, and miscellaneous expenses. These are referred to as indirect costs. Supplies,
travel, and miscellaneous expenses are not paid directly to the University. Also,
living expenses for off-campus or commuter students are paid by the student directly to the landlord,
property manager, or family member.
Comparing Costs and Financial Aid
There are a variety of tools to use when comparing cost of attendance and financial aid packages from
various schools. You may even want to develop your own spreadsheet.
If you would like more information on comparing costs and financial aid, consider using the following tool from
College Board - (click on "Compare Aid Awards" under Tools).
Another excellent tool for comparing costs and financial aid is offered through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan
Effective Fall 2004, Eastern Illinois University implemented a "Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan." The
Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan provides that tuition for new undergraduate students will remain the same
for four continuous academic years. The guaranteed tuition rate period is extended for undergraduate
degree programs approved by the University for completion in more than four years. The extension is
limited to the minimum number of additional semester(s) to complete the program as approved by the
University. The list of programs approved by the University for completion in more than four years is
maintained by the Provost. Click
here for more information.
Domestic Undergraduate Tuition
Beginning in the fall semester of 2024, all domestic students residing permanently in the USA, including
undocumented students, will be eligible for in-state tuition rates. This means you'll pay the same
tuition rate as residents of Illinois and benefit from a four-year guarantee on your tuition rate.
International Undergraduate Tuition
For our international undergraduate students, including those on a visa or who have applied for refugee
status, we offer competitive tuition rates set at just 1.25 times the domestic student rate.
Payment Plan
Eastern Illinois University's Payment
Plan is administered through Student Accounts.
Diplomas are held for students with an
outstanding balance owed to the university. EIU fully supports Public
Act 102-0998. The Student Debt Assistance Act and the subsequent amendment, Public
Act 103-0054, which includes provisions for releasing a diploma to students with a financial
hold. If requesting your diploma based on one of the exemptions detailed in Public At 103-0054, please
complete and return this
request form to the Office of the Registrar.
Details concerning placement of holds that block registration may be found in IGP 64 - Registration Holds. The
lowest amount of debt assigned to a third-party debt collection agency is $1,000.00. Information
concerning student lending protections through the Illinois State Attorney General’s Office may be found
at this link. Students seeking to file a complaint with the university may do so
at this link.
Student Fee Breakdown
| Fee Item |
Per Credit Hour |
Academic Year (30 Credit Hours) |
| Activity Fee |
$4.55 |
$136.50 |
| Campus Improvement Fee |
$16.06 |
$481.80 |
| Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Fee |
$22.37 |
$671.10 |
| Health & Counseling Services Fee |
$12.90 |
$387.00 |
| Information Technology Fee |
$10.15 |
$304.50 |
| Intercollegiate Athletic Fee |
$18.00 |
$540.00 |
| Lantz-O'Brien Fee |
$11.75 |
$352.50 |
| MLK Jr. University Union Fee |
$24.94 |
$748.20 |
| Shuttle Bus Fee |
$1.20 |
$36.00 |
| Student Legal Services Fee |
$0.47 |
$14.10 |
| Student Publications Fee |
$1.00 |
$30.00 |
| Student Recreation Center Fee |
$8.66 |
$259.80 |
| Textbook Rental |
$8.75 |
$262.50 |
| Total Fees |
$140.80 |
$4,224.00 |
Student Fee Descriptions
Student fees are in place to support campus activities and services. Each fee assessed was considered
and
approved by the Student Government Association (SGA) and each year the SGA provides input on the
student
fees assessed.
Activity Fee - The Activity Fee is meant to enrich the extra-curricular life of EIU Students by funding a portion of the Student Life office, University Board lectures and events, Student Government events, Career Services Office, some student organizations.
Campus Improvement Fee - The campus Improvement Fee supports debt service, capital projects, campus improvements, campus technology infrastructure, and all facilities that support both in person and online programs.
Graduate Student Activity Fee - The Activity Fee is meant to enrich the extra-curricular life of EIU Students by funding a portion of the Student Life office, University Board lectures and events, Student Government events, Career Services Office, some student organizations.
Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Fee - The GIA Fee provides aid to academic and student areas, student-athletes, and economically disadvantaged students.
Health & Counseling Services Fee - The Health and Counseling Services Fee supports the Health center and provides each fee-paying student access to the Medical and Counseling Center.
Information Technology Fee - The Information Technology Fee supports teaching technology, software, network and infrastructure, and associated staff.
Intercollegiate Athletic Fee - The Athletics Fee supports significant portions of the Athletic program.
Lantz-O'Brien Fee - The Lantz/O'Brien Fee supports the facilities expenses for upkeep for portions of Lantz, O'Brien stadium and surrounding grounds.
MLK Jr. University Union Fee - The MLK Jr. University Union Fee supports the building operations of the facility.
Online Learning Fee - The Online Learning Fee supports the operational needs to deliver online programs and off campus instruction.
Shuttle Bus Fee - The Shuttle Bus Fee supports the operation of the campus/community bus service.
Student Legal Services Fee - The Student Legal Services Fee supports a portion of the Dean of Students office and a part-time attorney.
Student Publications Fee - The Student Publications Fee supports the publication of the Daily Eastern News.
Student Recreation Center Fee - The Student Recreation Center Fee supports the Recreation Center facility and staffing.
Textbook Rental - The Textbook Rental Fee provides students with textbooks and supports the overall textbook rental program.
Student Fees are based upon the program that you are enrolled in. They are not assessed per course. A
student enrolled in an in-person program of student may take an online course, but this will still
result in the fees being assessed based upon their in-person program.
