Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket · Photo: Marcin Wichary · CC BY 2.0Midwestern University-Downers Grove is 5.1 miles from Willowbrook
No college sits inside Willowbrook’s boundary, but Midwestern University-Downers Grove’s campus in Downers Grove, with 2,671 students on campus, is 5.1 miles from the center of town, and Moraine Valley Community College is 7.4 miles away in Palos Hills. About 10% of Willowbrook’s residents are enrolled in college, above Illinois (6%).
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 Willowbrook. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Willowbrook
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Willowbrook
15 private colleges within 13.5 miles, and five community colleges. The nearest public four-year college, University of Illinois Chicago, is 16.7 miles away.
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 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.
Starts at $75–110k, where Willowbrook’s median household income ($99,239) falls.
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.
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.
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. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: DeVry University-Illinois (11); Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park (8); Chamberlain University-Illinois (15).
Questions about college near Willowbrook
Is Willowbrook a college town?
No. About 10 of every 100 Willowbrook residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Illinois (6). The nearest campus, Midwestern University-Downers Grove, is 5.1 miles away in Downers Grove.
What colleges are near Willowbrook?
20 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: College of DuPage (8.4 miles, 18,795 students on campus), Moraine Valley Community College (7.4 miles, 9,764) and Triton College (11.5 miles, 8,418).
What is the closest community college to Willowbrook, and what does it cost?
Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, 7.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,822 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $2,829, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does the University of Illinois Chicago cost if we live in Illinois?
Tuition and fees are $14,338 a year in-state and $29,884 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,529 (under $30,000 income) to $25,047 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
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 Willowbrook. 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 →