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20130403 16 Pace bus, Park Forest (9252275448)Photo: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA · CC BY 2.0
Colleges in and near Park Forest

Governors State University is 2.7 miles from Park Forest

No college sits inside Park Forest’s boundary, but Governors State University’s campus in University Park, with 2,773 students on campus, is 2.7 miles from the center of town, and Prairie State College is 3.9 miles away in Chicago Heights. About 6% of Park Forest’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Illinois (6%).

Governors State UniversityPrairie State 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 Park Forest. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
6
17,555 students on campus
Nearest college
2.7 mi
Governors State
Residents in college
6%
About the same as IL (6%)
Nearest community college
3.9 mi
Prairie State College · $4,176 tuition
Nearest public university
2.7 mi
Governors State · $12,004 in-state
Median household income
$61K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Park Forest

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

Two colleges within 3.9 milesGovernors State University admits 48% of applicants. Together they have 5,384 students on campus.In-state price at Governors StateLiving in Illinois, Governors State University charges $12,004 in tuition and fees, the same for every student.A community college 3.9 miles awayPrairie State College in Chicago Heights: tuition and fees $4,176 a year for Illinois residents.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 Park Forest

Two private colleges within 13.8 miles, two public colleges within 13.1 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miPurdue University NorthwestSouth Suburban CollegeGovernors StatePark Forest
University or collegeCommunity college
Governors State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 2,773 on campus · 2.7 mi · University Park48%admitted$12knet price22%graduate$58kearningsPrairie State CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,611 on campus · 3.9 mi · Chicago Heights$5knet price21%graduate$37kearningsTuition and fees: $4,176 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Fox CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 239 on campus · 7.6 mi · Tinley Park70%admitted$13knet price71%graduate$42kearningsSouth Suburban CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,085 on campus · 9.3 mi · South Holland$3knet price28%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $5,093 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Purdue University NorthwestUniversity or college · Public · 7,964 on campus · 13.1 mi · Hammond, IN72%admitted$6knet price43%graduate$48kearningsTrinity Christian CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 883 on campus · 13.8 mi · Palos Heights85%admitted$19knet price58%graduate$56kearnings

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. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Park Forest’s median household income ($61,072) falls.

South Suburban College9.3 mi · South Holland · sticker $10,834 · tuition $5,093$5,371a year
Purdue University Northwest13.1 mi · Hammond, IN · sticker $15,571$7,026a year
Prairie State College3.9 mi · Chicago Heights · sticker $13,908 · tuition $4,176$7,839a year
Fox College7.6 mi · Tinley Park · sticker $22,971$11,503a year
Governors State University2.7 mi · University Park · sticker $24,227$11,705a year
Trinity Christian College13.8 mi · Palos Heights · sticker $35,012$15,592a 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 within 15 miles of Park Forest: 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 →Governors StatePrairie State CollegeFox CollegeSouth Suburban CollegePurdue University NorthwestTrinity Christian College
Purdue University Northwest43% graduate$48k earnings$21k typical debt
South Suburban College28% graduate$34k earnings
Governors State University22% graduate$58k earnings$19k typical debt
Prairie State College21% graduate$37k earnings$11k typical debt
Trinity Christian College58% graduate$56k earnings$25k typical debt
Fox College71% graduate$42k earnings$16k 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.

Questions about college near Park Forest

Is Park Forest a college town?

No. About 6 of every 100 Park Forest residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Illinois (6). The nearest campus, Governors State University, is 2.7 miles away in University Park.

What colleges are near Park Forest?

Within 15 miles: Governors State University (2.7 miles, 2,773 students on campus), Prairie State College (3.9 miles, 2,611), Fox College (7.6 miles, 239), South Suburban College (9.3 miles, 3,085), Purdue University Northwest (13.1 miles, 7,964) and Trinity Christian College (13.8 miles, 883).

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

Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, 3.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,176 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $4,738, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Governors State University cost if we live in Illinois?

Tuition and fees are $12,004 a year in-state and $12,004 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,563 (under $30,000 income) to $22,076 (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 Park Forest. 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 →