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Colleges in and near South Chicago Heights

Governors State University is 4.7 miles from South Chicago Heights

No college sits inside South Chicago Heights’ boundary, but Governors State University’s campus in University Park, with 2,773 students on campus, is 4.7 miles from the center of town, and Prairie State College is 2.9 miles away in Chicago Heights. About 4% of South Chicago Heights’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Illinois (6%).

Prairie State CollegeGovernors State University

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 South Chicago Heights. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
7
18,036 students on campus
Nearest college
2.9 mi
Prairie State College
Residents in college
4%
About the same as IL (6%)
Nearest community college
2.9 mi
Prairie State College · $4,176 tuition
Nearest public university
4.7 mi
Governors State · $12,004 in-state
Median household income
$59K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from South Chicago Heights

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

Two colleges within 4.7 milesGovernors State University admits 48% of applicants. Together they have 5,384 students on campus.A community college 2.9 miles awayPrairie State College in Chicago Heights: tuition and fees $4,176 a year for Illinois residents.In-state price at Governors StateLiving in Illinois, Governors State University charges $12,004 in tuition and fees, the same for every student.Students are 4% 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 South Chicago Heights

Three private colleges within 14.9 miles, two public colleges within 10.9 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miPurdue University NorthwestSouth Suburban CollegeGovernors StateSouth Chicago Heights
University or collegeCommunity college
Prairie State CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,611 on campus · 2.9 mi · Chicago Heights$5knet price21%graduate$37kearningsTuition and fees: $4,176 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Governors State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 2,773 on campus · 4.7 mi · University Park48%admitted$12knet price22%graduate$58kearningsSouth Suburban CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,085 on campus · 8.6 mi · South Holland$3knet price28%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $5,093 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Fox CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 239 on campus · 9.5 mi · Tinley Park70%admitted$13knet price71%graduate$42kearningsPurdue University NorthwestUniversity or college · Public · 7,964 on campus · 10.9 mi · Hammond, IN72%admitted$6knet price43%graduate$48kearningsTrinity Christian CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 883 on campus · 14.8 mi · Palos Heights85%admitted$19knet price58%graduate$56kearningsCalumet College of Saint JosephUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 481 on campus · 14.9 mi · Whiting, IN$22knet price23%graduate$47kearnings

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 South Chicago Heights’ median household income ($58,691) falls.

South Suburban College8.6 mi · South Holland · sticker $10,834 · tuition $5,093$5,371a year
Purdue University Northwest10.9 mi · Hammond, IN · sticker $15,571$7,026a year
Prairie State College2.9 mi · Chicago Heights · sticker $13,908 · tuition $4,176$7,839a year
Fox College9.5 mi · Tinley Park · sticker $22,971$11,503a year
Governors State University4.7 mi · University Park · sticker $24,227$11,705a year
Trinity Christian College14.8 mi · Palos Heights · sticker $35,012$15,592a year
Calumet College of Saint Joseph14.9 mi · Whiting, IN · sticker $32,968$22,877a 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 South Chicago Heights: 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 →Prairie State CollegeGovernors StateSouth Suburban CollegePurdue University NorthwestTrinity Christian CollegeCalumet College of Saint Joseph
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
Calumet College of Saint Joseph23% graduate$47k earnings$22k 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 South Chicago Heights

Is South Chicago Heights a college town?

No. About 4 of every 100 South Chicago Heights residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Illinois (6). The nearest campus, Prairie State College, is 2.9 miles away in Chicago Heights.

What colleges are near South Chicago Heights?

7 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Purdue University Northwest (10.9 miles, 7,964 students on campus), South Suburban College (8.6 miles, 3,085) and Governors State University (4.7 miles, 2,773).

What is the closest community college to South Chicago Heights, and what does it cost?

Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, 2.9 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 South Chicago Heights. 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 →