(The Center Square) – Illinois’ in-state average tuition over the last 15 years has jumped by 49%, leaving the state with the third-highest costs in the country and many students are either leaving home to seek further education or taking on more debt to make it happen in the Land of Lincoln.

A new Illinois Policy Institute survey finds average in-state costs at the state’s 12 public universities now stands at nearly $15,000, or more than $5,000 higher than the national average.