East-West University

816 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
Top-Ranked (2026-27): View Rankings
  • Unique strength within diversity. At East-West University, unique sense of identity prevails. Strength of the university comes from its concerned and caring faculty and staff. Within the environment of East-West is a sense of community. Finally, diversity is the real strength of East-West University. East-West University was founded in 1980 with the mission of providing quality, affordable, multi-cultural, and forward-looking higher education to Chicago and the world. The institution has grown and prospered over the years, from a noble idea to a significant institution of higher learning accommodating nearly 1200 students. East-West has repeatedly been cited as having the lowest tuition among private schools in the Chicago area, making a higher education with personal attention more accessible. East-West has one of the highest percentages of international students of any baccalaureate school in the nation; it is the only majority-minority four year college in the state of Illinois; the faculty and staff is among the most diverse of any institution of higher learning in the nation; its graduates have spread throughout the world making a difference; and its close-knit, family atmosphere has been successful in helping students to meet the challenges of making it through college to graduation.

School Highlights

East-West University serves 468 students (100% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is lower than the state community college average of 33:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 54%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 468 students
  • Private-state tuition: $19,545
  • Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
  • Minority enrollment: 99%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

East-West University ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 18 teachers has declined by 58% over five years.
East-West University
(IL) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate Colleges—General
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private not-for-profit
Public
Year Founded
1980
Total Faculty
18 staff
94 staff
School Calendar
AccreditationAccred.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Student Body

The student population of East-West University has grown by 11% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 has increased from 10:1 over five years.
The East-West University diversity score of 0.69 is equal to the state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has declined by 14% over five years.
Total Enrollment
468 students
3,095 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

Student-Teacher Ratio
26:1
33:1
# Full-Time Students
468 students
1,013 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Part-Time Students
5 students
2,082 students

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Enrollment Undergraduate
473 students
2,720 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
468 students
1,082 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
5 students
2,308 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
1%
5%

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% Hispanic
32%
28%

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% Black
36%
13%

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% White
1%
46%

Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% Non Resident races
28%
1%
% Unknown races
1%
4%
Diversity Score
0.69
0.69

Showing 2011–2025. View full 19-year historical data

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.116%
n/a
Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry (measured in 2022-2023, in 2024 dollars)
$34,926
$42,901

Points are in the dollars of their own College Scorecard release, and the colleges behind the state line differ by period. The lines do not show inflation-adjusted growth.

Tuition & Financial Aid

The private state tuition of $19,545 is more than the state average of $14,123. The private state tuition has declined by 14% over four years.
Private State Tuition Fees
$19,545
$14,123
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
92%
80%

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

Median Debt for Graduates
$28,810
$8,029

Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data

Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,386
$4,618

Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data

Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does East-West University cost?
East-West University's private state tuition is approximately $19,545.
What is East-West University's ranking?
East-West University ranks among the top 20% of community college in Illinois for: Diversity in US community colleges and Average community college minority breakdown.
In what neighborhood is East-West University located?
East-West University is located in the Chicago Loop neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 3 other community '.colleges.' located in Chicago Loop.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 468 students
  • Private-state tuition: $19,545
  • Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
  • Minority enrollment: 99%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

The average community college acceptance rate in Cook County, IL is 52%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Cook County, IL community colleges have a diversity score of 0.56, which is lower than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in Cook County, IL is Midwestern Career College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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