- The mission of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges District 529 is to provide excellence in teaching, learning, public service, and economic development. The District is committed to high academic standards for pre-baccalaureate, career and technical education that sustain and advance excellence in learning.
School Highlights
Frontier Community College serves 14,619 students (1% of students are full-time).
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the state average of 53%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 14,619 students
- In-state tuition: $9,079
- Out-state tuition: $11,070
- Minority enrollment: 15%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Frontier Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
School Resources
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 66 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Frontier Community College
(IL) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
66 staff
227 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Frontier Community College has grown by 750% over five years.
The Frontier Community College diversity score of 0.28 is less than the state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has grown by 142% over five years.
Total Enrollment
14,619 students
3,270 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
222:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
203 students
1,007 students
# Part-Time Students
14,416 students
2,747 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
146 students
328 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
203 students
1,007 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
43 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
14,416 students
3,310 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
18 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
132 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
2%
26%
% Black
1%
13%
% White
85%
47%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
3%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
10%
4%
Diversity Score
0.28
0.69
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.5583%
0.4%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.38%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$28,200
$31,800
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $9,079 is more than the state average of $7,875. The in-state tuition has declined by 9% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $11,070 is more than the state average of $10,847. The out-state tuition has declined by 8% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$9,079
$7,875
Out-State Tuition Fees
$11,070
$10,847
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
96%
82%
Median Debt for Graduates
$6,450
$8,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,500
$4,549
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
SAT Reading
n/a
390
SAT Math
n/a
360
SAT Writing
n/a
355
ACT Composite
n/a
17
ACT English
n/a
17
ACT Math
n/a
17
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges District #529 (IECC) is located in a 3,000 square-mile area of southeastern Illinois near the Illinois-Indiana border. The multi-college District includes Frontier Community College at Fairfield, Lincoln Trail College at Robinson, Olney Central College at Olney, and Wabash Valley College at Mt. Carmel. The first three colleges combined in 1969 to form what is now known as the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges District 529. On September 6, 1974, the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges' Continuing Education facilities in Fairfield were opened. The modest facility included a large conference room, a textbook library, a workroom, a secretarial pool area and an administrative office. On July 26, 1976, the Board of Trustees approved the concept of a �Campus Beyond Walls� for the Continuing Education Division. On December 8, 1976, the Board formally named the college Illinois Eastern College of Continuing Education. The IECC Board and the Illinois Board of Higher Education had also approved the new concept and therefore it officially became the fourth college in the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges District 529. In 1977, a group of citizens concerned with higher education formed a Foundation in support of the college. The College of Continuing Education Foundation, now called the Frontier Community College Foundation. Also in 1977, a 6,500 square foot classroom building containing seven lecture classrooms was constructed. In 2000, a student lounge addition was added to Classroom Building West. On April 18, 1978, the college was officially named Frontier Community College. In 1986, the Frontier Community College Foundation constructed a 10,500 square foot specialized classroom building with five laboratory classrooms to assist the college in meeting its educational objectives. In 2001, construction on a new Learning Resource Center and Nursing Building was begun. On February 20, 2002, Frontier added the Sanyo Building to the family of FCC buildings on the west edge of Fairfield. The 38,000 square feet building was renamed the Workforce Development Center. Frontier Community College offers degrees and certificate in Administrative Information Tech (AIT), Automotive Service Tech II (AUM), Basic Nurse Assistant Training Progr (BAID), Basic Quality Manufacturing Skills (IQM), Computer Applications (COAP), Computer Networking Specialist (CNS), Corrections - Parole Officer (CORPO), Corrections - Youth Supervisor (CORYS), Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS), Emer Prep/Emerg Rescue Tech. (ERESC), Emergency Disaster Services Tech. (EDST), Emergency Medical Tech.-Ambulance (EMTA), Emergency Prep.-Auxiliary Police (POLIC), Emergency Prep.-Vol. Firefighter II (FIRE2), Industrial Quality Control (QAC), Industrial Quality Management (IQM), Information Systems Management (ISM), Nursing (NUR), Paraprofessional Educator (EDU), Psychiatric Rehabilitation Certificate (PSYRH) and Web Design Certificate (INFO). The Frontier Community College is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Frontier Community College cost?
Frontier Community College's tuition is approximately $9,079 for In-State students and $11,070 for Out-State students.
What is Frontier Community College's ranking?
Frontier Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Illinois for: Percent of students receiving financial aid and Largest student body.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Frontier Community College is Rend Lake College (28.3 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Students
Olney Central College
Public
305 N West Street
Olney, IL 62450
(618) 393-2982
Olney, IL 62450
(618) 393-2982
28.9 miles
| 1,230 students
233 E Chestnut Street
Olney, IL 62450
(618) 393-2982
Olney, IL 62450
(618) 393-2982
29.1 miles
| 0 students
Wabash Valley College
Public
2200 College Drive
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
(618) 393-2982
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
(618) 393-2982
33.3 miles
| 1,320 students
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