What's it like to pay for University of Illinois?

I'm a junior looking into applying to the University of Illinois because of their Engineering programs. I'm just trying to get a ballpark figure for how much tuition, books, housing, and all that jazz would cost over four years. Does anybody have some solid numbers to share, or maybe a personal experience to help me out?

Surely, I'd be glad to help provide some insight into the costs you might anticipate when attending the University of Illinois.

First of all, remember that costs can vary widely based on whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student. As of the 2024-2025 academic year, the base tuition for in-state students at the University of Illinois is roughly $17,640 per year, and approximately $36,760 for out-of-state. Now, these are just for base tuition; the College of Engineering has additional differential tuition, which is around $5,000.

Beyond tuition, there are also costs like housing, meal plans, and books. Let's break down each:

- Housing: The cost of housing depends on the type of accommodation you choose. If you stay on campus, the dorms range from approximately $11,000 to $14,000 per year which includes the meal plan. If you opt for off-campus housing, the cost could be less or more depending on whether you share a place with roommates or live alone, and the location of the housing.

- Books: Typically, engineering majors might spend somewhere around $1,200 per year on textbooks. The total can vary though, especially if you're able to find used or online versions of textbooks.

- Personal Expenses: These can vary based on your lifestyle, but the university estimates around $2,830 per year.

Adding all these up, we're looking at an annual cost of around $35,862 - $41,126 for in-state students studying engineering, and around $55,322 - $63,226 for out-of-state. Therefore, for an undergraduate four-year degree, you would be looking at a total cost in the vicinity of $120,000-$140,000 for in-state students and $196,000 - $216,000 for out-of-state students.

Remember, amenities, courses, and the local economy can all lead to changes in costs year-to-year. Plus, you should also factor in financial aid which can significantly reduce these costs.

Please make sure to check the university's official website for the most accurate and up-to-date figures, as well as potential scholarships and other forms of financial support that might be available to you. The site also provides a net price calculator that can give you a more precise estimate based on your personal circumstances.