Chicago State University's published cost of attendance is $29,764. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public tuition structure and need-based aid availability: low-income families pay approximately $9,073, middle-income families pay around $11,334, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,427.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $29,764 |
| Tuition and Fees | $12,754 |
| Room and Board | $11,550 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,400 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$17,429 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $12,335 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $9,073 |
| $30–48k | $9,550 |
| $48–75k | $11,334 |
| $75–110k | $13,899 |
| $110k+ | $28,427 |
Chicago State University's published cost of attendance is $29,764. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public tuition structure and need-based aid availability: low-income families pay approximately $9,073, middle-income families pay around $11,334, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,427. Azimuth ranks Chicago State University #540 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Chicago State University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The gap between published cost of attendance and actual net price can be substantial, particularly for low-income students — see net price illusion for how sticker price and net price diverge at many institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $30,625, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,256; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,486, median federal debt of $30,625 projects to a monthly payment of about $346 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is moderate relative to earnings. Manageable for most graduates, but higher-debt borrowers should plan carefully.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Chicago State University earn median 4-year earnings of $56,486, placing Chicago State University in the 31.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,756 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Chicago State University in the 41.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Chicago State University #952 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect a liberal arts foundation that emphasizes broad intellectual development alongside career preparation, with graduates moving into diverse professional fields across education, business, social services, and public administration. The program landscape at Chicago State University is anchored in Liberal Arts, which shapes the institution's earnings profile. General Studies is the largest program with 44 graduates, followed by Psychology, General with 42 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $47,168 — 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Criminal Justice program graduates 35 students with median 4-year earnings of $57,691, while Business Administration and Nursing round out the top five, each graduating 35 and 26 students respectively with 4-year earnings of $53,181 and $92,024. The concentration in liberal arts fields reflects Chicago State University's mission as an accessible urban public institution serving Chicago's diverse student population, with outcomes that position graduates for stable, meaningful careers in fields central to the region's economy.
