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Colleges in and near Decatur

Decatur is home to two colleges, with 3,412 students on campus

Richland Community College (1,817 students on campus) and Millikin University (1,595) are inside the city. About 6% of Decatur’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Illinois (6%).

Millikin UniversityRichland Community College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Decatur. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
3,412 students on campus
Nearest college
2.4 mi
Millikin University
Residents in college
6%
About the same as IL (6%)
Nearest community college
2.9 mi
Richland · $4,680 tuition
Nearest public university
37.3 mi
University of Illinois Springfield · $12,252 in-state
Median household income
$52K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Decatur

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 2.9 milesMillikin University admits 67% of applicants. Together they have 3,412 students on campus.A community college 2.9 miles awayRichland Community College in Decatur: tuition and fees $4,680 a year for Illinois residents.In-state price at University of Illinois SpringfieldLiving in Illinois, the University of Illinois Springfield charges $12,252 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $22,017. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 6% of residentsAbout the same as Illinois (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Decatur

One private college within 2.4 miles, and Richland Community College 2.9 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, University of Illinois Springfield, is 37.3 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miRichlandMillikin UniversityDecatur
University or collegeCommunity college
Millikin UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,595 on campus · In Decatur67%admitted$22knet price55%graduate$51kearningsRichland Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,817 on campus · In Decatur$4knet price60%graduate$39kearningsTuition and fees: $4,680 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Decatur’s median household income ($51,592) falls.

Richland Community CollegeIn Decatur · sticker $11,483 · tuition $4,680$6,746a year
University of Illinois Springfield37.3 mi · Springfield · sticker $25,521$9,520a year
Millikin UniversityIn Decatur · sticker $57,475$23,053a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Millikin UniversityRichlandUniversity of Illinois Springfield
University of Illinois Springfield53% graduate$57k earnings$19k typical debt
Richland Community College60% graduate$39k earnings$8k typical debt
Millikin University55% graduate$51k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Decatur

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Decatur’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 15%Health professions 15%Business 12%Visual & performing arts 11%Education 7%Mechanics & repair 5%Everything else 34%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesRichland Community College · 128 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Biological and Physical SciencesRichland Community College · 53 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingMillikin University · 50 graduates a year
$82k4 yrs out
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftMillikin University · 42 graduates a year
$39k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasMillikin University · 34 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsMillikin University · 33 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMillikin University · 28 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRichland Community College · 28 graduates a year
$83k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Decatur

Is Decatur a college town?

No. About 6 of every 100 Decatur residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Illinois (6). The largest campus in the city, Richland Community College, has 1,817 students on campus.

What colleges are in Decatur?

Richland Community College and Millikin University are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Decatur, and what does it cost?

Richland Community College in Decatur, 2.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,680 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $3,741, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of Illinois Springfield cost if we live in Illinois?

Tuition and fees are $12,252 a year in-state and $22,017 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $5,778 (under $30,000 income) to $16,544 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Decatur. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →