Save money on college: How much does it cost to attend College of Lake County?

College is a big investment. But it doesn’t mean you have to take on years of student debt. In fact, two-year community colleges offer a great way to save money. Consider the College of Lake County (CLC), where you can

• Earn credits toward a degree
• Prepare for a career
• Transfer to a university at a much lower cost than attending many four-year schools

If you are looking for an affordable college option in Illinois, here is what you need to know:

Quick summary

• Save thousands of dollars while receiving a high-quality education at College of Lake County. Learn why students choose to start at CLC.
• A number of factors determine how much you'll pay for college.  Explore what CLC will actually cost you.
• Savings are significant when you compare college costs in Illinois. Measure CLC tuition to that of 4-year schools.
• Per class, you'll spend $500-$600 in tuition and fees at CLC. Explore a typical class and learn what it costs.
• Many students at CLC do not pay the full listed tuition price. Financial aid can lower your college costs.
• CLC is a smart way to save money while building toward a degree or career. Get a good college education without big student debt.

Why students choose CLC for affordable college costs

One of the biggest reasons students choose CLC is affordability. Community college tuition is much lower than tuition at most public and private universities. This helps you save thousands of dollars while still receiving a high-quality education.

Students often:

• Complete general education classes, such as English, science, math and art, at CLC before transferring to a 4-year school
• Stay close to home to save on housing costs
• Use financial aid, scholarships and payment plans
• Graduate with low to no student debt

Kendra Anderson studied elementary education and Spanish at CLC.

“There are a lot of schools out there that cost a lot of money because college is expensive. CLC is affordable. It's local. It makes education doable. And for me with four children, it has made my education possible,” she says. Read about Anderson’s journey.

For many in northeastern Illinois, CLC offers one of the most affordable paths to a college degree or career training.

How much does College of Lake County actually cost?

The cost to attend College of Lake County (CLC) depends on:

• Where you live
• How many credit hours you take
• Your program or course fees
• Whether you attend full time or part time

In-district tuition at CLC

Students who live within the College of Lake County district receive the lowest tuition rate.

The district encompasses almost all of Lake County, Illinois, except for the southwest corner of the county.

Lake County stretches from the Wisconsin state line south to Lake Cook Road. It runs from about the Fox River east to Lake Michigan.

Cities located in Lake County that are in the College of Lake County district include:

Explore residency requirements for in-district tuition.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, in-district tuition costs $144.77 per credit hour. A comprehensive fee adds $33.23 to each credit hour for a total of $178 per credit hour.

Part-time students take less than 12 credit hours per semester. Full-time students take 12 or more credit hours per semester.

The estimated tuition/comprehensive fees to attend one semester at CLC during the 2026-2027 academic year are:

 

Some classes may have additional fees or variable tuition. These cover the cost of specialized learning materials and experiences.

Financial aid can reduce the cost to attend college. Financial aid includes grants and scholarships that you don’t have to repay. Federal work study programs and apprenticeships help you earn money while you learn. Borrowing money or student loans should be a last resort to attend college. CLC financial aid experts help you explore your best options for paying for college.

Even if you live outside the district, CLC tuition often is much lower than the cost of attending a four-year college or university.

“CLC was a really good option for me. I think it was the perfect way to go because it was very affordable. The smaller class sizes and community feel definitely made it feel like home,” recalls Kamden Kuklinski.

He studied biological sciences at CLC, then transferred to Lake Forest College to earn a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. He is doing biomedical research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis as he prepares for graduate school. Read about Kuklinski’s experience at CLC.

Explore tuition and fees

How CLC tuition compares to 4-year schools

The savings can be significant when you compare college costs in Illinois.

(Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2023-2024 Tuition & Fees Rate Average)

 

By starting at CLC and transferring later, many students save tens of thousands of dollars on their degree. On average, you can save $33,000 in tuition and fees if you spend your first two years at CLC, then transfer to a 4-year school to complete a bachelor’s degree.

And you’ll save even more on room and board, which is just as expensive as tuition, when you live at home while attending CLC.

A two-year transfer degree at CLC typically is 60-65 credit hours and costs $10,680 to $11,570.

The savings also are significant for students who earn a two-year career degree or career certificate.

Two-year career degrees at CLC generally range in cost from $10,680 to $14,507.

Short-term career certificates range from $1,068 to $9,968. Most cost $2,136 to $5,696.

 

How CLC compares to private, for-profit trade schools

Many find it costs less to complete specialized career-ready programs at CLC than it does to attend a private for-profit school. These include healthcare-focused and technical trade schools.

The cost difference is significant. On average, private for-profit schools charge more than $16,000 for a specialized two-year program. That’s according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Besides the lower cost, choosing to attend an accredited school like CLC gives you more options. The credits you earn can be applied toward getting your associate or bachelor’s degree.

Consider the 14 affordable certificates in CLC's Computer Information Technology (CIT) program. You can stack them toward earning an associate degree. Or explore the field to see if it’s a good fit without committing it.

“It gives you a lot of options to explore different career paths before you get into something,” says Ethan Garcia. He is earning his associate degree in CIT. “If I don't end up liking this, I can always try something else.”

Being affordable and close to home makes college accessible, adds Connie Storer. She earned a CIT degree from CLC after completing active duty in the Army.

There’s also an opportunity for those who aren’t coming right out of high school that are working full-time,” she adds.

Explore tuition and fees

What does a typical class cost at CLC?

Most college classes are measured in credit hours. A class may be 1 to 5 credit hours long, with most averaging about 3 credit hours. Many popular courses, including some introductory English and math classes, are three credit hours at College of Lake County (CLC).

Example: Cost of a 3-credit-hour class

For an in-district student, a typical 3-credit-hour class costs about:

• $500-$600 in tuition and fees

Examples of 3-credit courses include:

• English Composition I
• Trigonometry
• Introductory Psychology
• Fundamentals of Speech Communication

Some courses may cost more because of:

• Lab fees
• Technology fees
• Specialized equipment
• Variable tuition for high-cost programs

Some programs have additional costs tied to equipment, supplies or industry-specific instruction. These include programs in healthcare, manufacturing and specialized career training. Learn about additional fees and variable tuition for select CLC classes.

Understanding total cost of attendance for full-time students

The total cost of going to college is more than just tuition and fees. Other factors go into your total cost of attendance.

Consider a full-time student attending CLC for an entire school year (fall and spring semesters or for about 9 months). In 2026-2027, the estimated total cost of attendance is:

• About $25,000 if you live with your parents
• Nearly $30,000 if you live on your own

Total cost of attendance includes school-related expenses plus your cost of living:

• Tuition for the number of credit hours you take
• Comprehensive fees per credit hour
• Course or lab fees
• Variable tuition and additional course fees for some programs
• Specialized equipment or training for some programs
• Books and supplies
• Living expenses, like for housing and food
• Personal expenses like clothing, entertainment, cell service
• Transportation expenses like transit fees, fuel and vehicle maintenance

The lower cost of attendance at CLC made college doable for student Annie Ahern.

“As a homeschooler through my pre-college years and financially limited student, it was essential for my path that I begin in an affordable, welcoming environment with a small class size,” she recalls. “These three things and much, much more were all found on my first tour at CLC, and I made plans to enroll that day.”

Explore total cost of attendance at CLC

Financial aid can lower your college costs

Many students at College of Lake County (CLC) do not pay the full listed tuition price.

They get financial aid, which helps reduce college costs. Financial aid includes:

• Federal and state grants
• Scholarships
• Student loans
• Work-study opportunities
• Tuition assistance programs

Students can apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Or the Illinois Alternative Application.

Many students qualify for aid that can significantly lower out-of-pocket costs. About 25% of CLC students receive federal financial aid. And nearly $1 million in scholarships was distributed to students by the CLC Foundation, according to the CLC Community Impact Report 2025. Scholarships are available for all types of students, from recent high school graduates to adults returning to school. Everyone can apply for scholarships at CLC.

“At CLC, you already are saving a lot of money because it’s an affordable, high-quality education. But if you can get the cost reduced even more, that’s helpful, especially if you want to transfer to a four-year school,” says student Saffa Sakhi.

She suggests you begin learning about financial aid options as soon as possible. This helps you get familiar with the process so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming.

Read CLC’s complete guide to financial aid

Flexible payment plans make college more manageable

Payment plans let you spread tuition payments over time instead of paying everything upfront.

This can help you:

• Budget monthly payments
• Avoid large one-time bills
• Stay enrolled while managing expenses

Payment plans are especially helpful if you’re balancing work, family and school responsibilities.

Explore payment plans

A college education without big student debt

College of Lake County offers a smart way to save money while building toward a degree or career.

If your goal is to:

• Transfer to a 4-year university
• Start a high-demand career
• Earn credits close to home
• Explore college before committing to a four-year school

CLC is an affordable option that helps you move forward with less financial stress and less student debt.

Artificial intelligence was used to organize and summarize this article. Guidance, tips and quotes from CLC experts and students are expressly their own.

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Learn more about CLC tuition and financial aid

• Your complete guide to understanding and paying for college at CLC
• Real insights from a student: What it feels like going through the financial aid process
• Your path to paying for college: CLC’s top strategies for success
• What is financial aid? And why you should apply even if you can afford college on your own
• Who qualifies for financial aid? And what to do if you don't qualify?