GED and HiSET in Illinois

In Illinois the GED costs $144 in person or online and the HiSET costs $130, minimum age 18.

How Illinois compares

At $144, Illinois (GED, all 4 subjects in person) is cheaper than 14 states, the same price as 18 states and more expensive than 9 states.

That is exactly the national median. The national median is $144 (42 states with a confirmed price, range $0 to $200).

Compared with Illinois, it is cheaper in Missouri ($142); the same in Kentucky ($144); more expensive in Indiana ($180) and Michigan ($174).

At $144, Illinois (GED, all 4 subjects online) is cheaper than 10 states, the same price as 25 states and more expensive than 1 state.

That is exactly the national median. The national median is $144 (37 states with a confirmed price, range $104 to $200).

Compared with Illinois, it is the same in Indiana ($144) and Kentucky ($144); more expensive in Michigan ($174) and Missouri ($154).

At $130, Illinois (HiSET, all 5 subtests) is cheaper than 8 states, the same price as 3 states and more expensive than 9 states.

That is exactly the national median. The national median is $130 (21 states with a confirmed price, range $0 to $190).

Compared with Illinois, it is cheaper in Iowa ($90) and Missouri ($120); more expensive in Michigan ($160).

Rankings use only prices confirmed from an official source. Neighboring states come from the US Census county adjacency file.

Tests accepted: GED and HiSETIllinois listed on HiSET state page (https://hiset.org/illinois/); GED at https://www.ged.com/policies/illinois.html. Source: hiset.org, checked 2026-10-10
Credential awarded: Illinois High School DiplomaPage names it for the GED; the HiSET page (https://hiset.org/illinois/) does not name the credential separately. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10

GED, all 4 subjects in person: $144Calculated: 4 x $36. No official total stated; page has a conflicting '$40' figure in one section. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10
GED, one subject in person: $36Matches dropdown-price-and-rules.json. One section of the page says in-person 'will only cost you $40', which conflicts. In-person retakes carry a $10 test center fee. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10
GED, all 4 subjects online: $144Calculated: 4 x $36. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10
GED, one subject online: $36Matches dropdown-price-and-rules.json. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10
HiSET, all 5 subtests: $130Stated expected total for 5 subtests at a test center, no retakes. @Home total $205. Source: hiset.org, checked 2026-10-10
HiSET, one subtest: $26Test center paper or computer: $18 test fee + $8 center fee + $0 state fee. @Home is $41. Source: hiset.org, checked 2026-10-10
Ways to pay less: GED: promo code ILSAVE2026 takes $26 off each subject while funding lasts; one discounted in-person retake per unpassed subject within 365 days; the Illinois Constitution exam is free at Regional Offices of Education and local adult education programs. No HiSET waiver or voucher listed.Code terms are linked from the GED page; funding is limited. HiSET page https://hiset.org/illinois/ mentions no waivers. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10

GED online at home: YesRequires a green GED Ready score first. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10
HiSET at home: Yes@Home remote proctored, $41 per subtest. Source: hiset.org, checked 2026-10-10

Minimum age: 18GED is 18. HiSET minimum is 17 (https://hiset.org/illinois/). Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10
Under the minimum age: GED: age 17 allowed with a withdrawal letter from the last school attended (email hse@illinois.gov or fax 217-558-6700); age 16 only if enrolled in a Regional Safe Schools Program, Alternative Learning Opportunities Program or Lincoln's Challenge Academy and the program petitions for the student. Online testers under 18 need a parent or guardian at check-in. HiSET: age 17 with proof of withdrawal from the last school; age 16 only via Lincoln's Challenge or a qualified Alternative Learning Opportunity Program; homeschooled students need a signed letter.HiSET part: https://hiset.org/illinois/. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10

Residency rule: Must be an Illinois resident for 30 days or more, with proof and a government-issued photo ID on test day (applies to GED and HiSET). The Illinois Constitution test must also be passed (GED candidates who passed all sections before 30 June 2022 may receive the diploma without it).HiSET: https://hiset.org/illinois/ (30 days; U.S. and Illinois Constitution test required before certificate). Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10

Retake policy: GED in person: no wait after the first failed attempt, 60-day wait after 3 attempts at a subject, no yearly limit. GED online: one retake, then a 60-day wait after two online attempts; $36 per online retake. HiSET: maximum six attempts per subtest per calendar year; retakes cost the $8 center fee (in person) or $23 (at-home); full test fee on the first and fourth attempts.HiSET part: https://hiset.org/illinois/. Source: ged.com, checked 2026-10-10