Published on March 6, 2026 4:30 pm
Last Updated on March 6, 2026 4:30 pm
Lake Land College is set to increase its tuition and fees rates by 3.25% for the 2026-2027 academic year, pending approval by the board of trustees during the regular March meeting on Monday, March 9.
Under the new rates, in-district tuition will increase by $5 per credit hour, while per-credit hour fees will remain unchanged, bringing the total per-credit hour cost to $159. For an in-district student taking a standard full-time course load of 30 credit hours in the 2026-2027 academic year, the total tuition and fee cost will be $4,770, an increase of $150 over the previous year.
The new tuition rate preserves Lake Land’s status as one of Illinois’ most affordable colleges. Among fellow Illinois community colleges, Lake Land ranked in the lowest 25% in terms of cost for the 2025-2026 school year, when average statewide tuition and fees reached $4,943. Meanwhile, the average 2025-2026 tuition for Illinois public universities was $16,264.50, making Lake Land a top destination for students interested in a high-quality education at a fraction of a university price.
“At Lake Land College, our priority is to offer accessible pathways to career success and provide an education that fits your budget,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “This increase in tuition reflects our commitment to continue to offer the state-of-the-art experience our community expects from a Lake Land College education, all while retaining our position as one of the state’s most affordable destinations to launch high-demand, sustainable careers.”
In addition to enjoying one of the most affordable tuition rates across Illinois, Lake Land College students have access to valuable support services that set them up for sustained financial success. Lake Land is among a few colleges in the region to offer a comprehensive textbook rental service, included in the tuition and fees, which saves each student up to $1,400 per year on books and course materials. And, due in part to the Lake Land College Foundation awarding more than $500,000 in student scholarships every year, an estimated 81% of Lake Land students receive financial assistance to help minimize academic costs. As a result, Lake Land students graduate financially ahead of their peers, with only 5% borrowing loans during the 2025-2026 school year.
“This tuition increase is representative of the dual mandate that our board takes very seriously – that education should be affordable and accessible, and that Lake Land College students deserve access to a high-quality education that fits their lives and matches industry standards to ensure relevance upon graduation,” said Lake Land College Student Trustee Jay Bliler. “As a board member, this modest, measured increase allows certainty for taxpayers whose dollars support the College as well and represents the level of care which administrators and my fellow trustees put into making sure that every dollar is spent carefully and with full concern for both the students and the Lake Land College community.”
In addition to maintaining a modest tuition rate, Lake Land is committed to keeping fees affordable for students. As proposed, students will continue to pay the same dollar amount in fees as the previous rate, a total of $35 per credit hour. Funds will be shifted between areas, however, to enhance the classroom experience. If approved by the board, $1.50 of the recreational fee will be reallocated to the College’s service fee to support a new academic equipment fund. This will ensure students are supported with state-of-the-art classroom and lab equipment as rapidly advancing technology continues to set the standard for career training and hands-on learning. Students will experience no net change in fee costs under the new tuition rate.
The new tuition rate will take effect with the Summer 2026 semester and continue through the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 terms.
