Crystal Lake, Illinois Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Crystal Lake, Illinois shows: median public in-state tuition $4,162 (-24.5% vs national median) median graduate debt $7,917 (-41.1% vs U.S.) 5,414 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 3 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 5,414 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $4,162 (-24.5% vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $16,708 (+67.6% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $7,917 (-41.1% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,004
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Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Crystal Lake, Illinois—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Illinois and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Crystal Lake vs Illinois & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake, Illinois | $4,162 | $16,708 | $7,917 | N/A | 5,414 |
| Illinois (state median) | $4,788 | $7,399 | $10,929 | 55.2% | 467,912 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Crystal Lake, Illinois vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake, Illinois | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | N/A | N/A |
| Illinois (state median) | $57,988 | 92.5% | 75.0% | 4.2% | — | 74.5% | 0.40 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Illinois (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake, Illinois | $4,162 | $16,708 | $7,917 | N/A | 5,414 | N/A | N/A |
| Chicago | $14,669 | $17,185 | $12,934 | 57.7% | 114,737 | $52,234 | 89.0% |
| Lisle | $26,674 | $27,060 | $22,500 | 43.5% | 30,923 | $63,446 | 91.5% |
| Normal | $10,847 | $19,398 | $7,826 | 64.5% | 22,225 | $62,117 | 95.4% |
| Joliet | $21,320 | $13,140 | $9,711 | 66.8% | 10,609 | $63,926 | 94.1% |
| Evanston | $68,322 | $29,167 | $15,000 | 95.1% | 9,201 | $89,363 | 85.7% |
| Springfield | $12,075 | $16,000 | $10,256 | 53.2% | 8,016 | $57,103 | 92.0% |
| Springfield | $12,075 | $16,000 | $10,256 | 53.2% | 8,016 | $57,103 | 92.0% |
| Springfield | $12,075 | $16,000 | $10,256 | 53.2% | 8,016 | $57,103 | 92.0% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
In-state tuition: Crystal Lake, Illinois vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Crystal Lake, Illinois median in-state tuition is $4,162, -24.5% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Crystal Lake, Illinois vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Crystal Lake, Illinois is $7,917 (-41.1% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,004.
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Crystal Lake, Illinois median public in-state tuition is $4,162, about -24.5% vs the national median. Versus the Great Lakes region, tuition is -26.0%.
Median graduate debt is $7,917 (-41.1% below the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
FAQ
How many colleges are in Crystal Lake?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 3 campuses in Crystal Lake, Illinois with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Crystal Lake?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Crystal Lake is $4,162 and median net price is $16,708. For Illinois overall, medians are $4,788 and $7,399; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Crystal Lake?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Crystal Lake is N/A vs $57,988 for Illinois and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Crystal Lake colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Crystal Lake is $7,917 vs $10,929 for Illinois and $13,432 nationally.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Crystal Lake?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 3 campuses in Crystal Lake, Illinois, 3 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Cosmetology & Spa Academy, First Institute of Travel Inc., and McHenry County College.
Sources & related
- Illinois college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON