@ucbalumnus Harper College, (one of the closer community colleges to the area in question) has tuition and fees about $5,000 for a year. The nearest public 4 year college is University of Illinois, Chicago tuition and fees is $17k. Neither includes books, food or commuting costs. It is a huge difference for the Chicago suburbs. For many the trip downtown represents a 2 hour one way commute. The 4 year state schools are mostly in the middle of nowhere.