Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of Illinois

Most Affordable Colleges for Illinois Residents for 2026

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Which colleges are most affordable for Illinois residents ? The answer may surprise you.
These rankings of the most affordable colleges for Illinois residents are based on the estimated net price for a "typical" middle class family living in the state of Illinois.
Note: Net price is the actual cost of the school paid by the student and family, after factoring in merit and grant aid from the college federal programs and work study.The net prices displayed in these rankings are College Raptor's estimates.

“Typical” middle class family values used in the Net Price estimates on this page are:

Number of people in family: 4
Number of students in college: 1
Total income: $80,000
Total assets: $50,000

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Illinois

Rank	Institution	Typical Net Price	Sticker Price	% Savings	Undergraduates	Est. Median SAT	Acceptance Rate	Save
1	University of Chicago	4000	99800	0.9595	7,598	1535	0.0448	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $4,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $99,800 % Savings 96% Undergraduates 7,598 Est. Median SAT 1,535 Acceptance Rate 4.5 %
2	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	12500	28100	0.5551	8,553	1045	0.8688	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Typical Net Price $12,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 56% Undergraduates 8,553 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 86.9 %
3	Eastern Illinois University	12600	24700	0.4909	6,785	985	0.6535	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Typical Net Price $12,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,700 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 6,785 Est. Median SAT 985 Acceptance Rate 65.4 %
4	Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	13700	34600	0.6046	8,945	1099	0.975	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Typical Net Price $13,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,600 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 8,945 Est. Median SAT 1,099 Acceptance Rate 97.5 %
5	Northern Illinois University	14300	34700	0.5883	11,348	1070	0.6979	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Typical Net Price $14,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,700 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 11,348 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 69.8 %
6	Governors State University	14400	33100	0.5652	2,572	945	0.4827	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Governors State University University Park, IL Typical Net Price $14,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,100 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 2,572 Est. Median SAT 945 Acceptance Rate 48.3 %
7	Northwestern University	14600	91800	0.841	9,399	1527	0.0769	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northwestern University Evanston, IL Typical Net Price $14,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $91,800 % Savings 84% Undergraduates 9,399 Est. Median SAT 1,527 Acceptance Rate 7.7 %
7	University of Illinois Springfield	14600	29800	0.5089	2,309	1099	0.8588	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL Typical Net Price $14,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,800 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 2,309 Est. Median SAT 1,099 Acceptance Rate 85.9 %
9	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	15900	38500	0.5862	37,140	1406	0.4237	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Typical Net Price $15,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,500 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 37,140 Est. Median SAT 1,406 Acceptance Rate 42.4 %
10	Eureka College	17100	44800	0.6189	527	1020	0.8499	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Eureka College Eureka, IL Typical Net Price $17,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,800 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 527 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 85.0 %
11	Blackburn College	17400	48800	0.6429	513	1020	0.6319	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Blackburn College Carlinville, IL Typical Net Price $17,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,800 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 513 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 63.2 %
12	University of St Francis	18300	71700	0.7449	1,343	1145	0.6529	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of St Francis Joliet, IL Typical Net Price $18,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $71,700 % Savings 74% Undergraduates 1,343 Est. Median SAT 1,145 Acceptance Rate 65.3 %
13	Quincy University	18900	57900	0.6733	1,072	1115	0.5093	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Quincy University Quincy, IL Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,900 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 1,072 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 50.9 %
14	Greenville University	19400	43900	0.5589	986	1033	0.975	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Greenville University Greenville, IL Typical Net Price $19,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,900 % Savings 56% Undergraduates 986 Est. Median SAT 1,033 Acceptance Rate 97.5 %
15	Olivet Nazarene University	19600	61600	0.682	2,711	1104	0.5586	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL Typical Net Price $19,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $61,600 % Savings 68% Undergraduates 2,711 Est. Median SAT 1,104 Acceptance Rate 55.9 %
15	Saint Xavier University	19600	57800	0.6613	3,098	1050	0.843	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $19,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,800 % Savings 66% Undergraduates 3,098 Est. Median SAT 1,050 Acceptance Rate 84.3 %
17	Illinois College	19800	55200	0.6412	937	1059	0.7819	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois College Jacksonville, IL Typical Net Price $19,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,200 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 937 Est. Median SAT 1,059 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
18	North Park University	20300	53200	0.6183	1,841	1075	0.6851	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Park University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $20,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $53,200 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 1,841 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 68.5 %
19	Western Illinois University	20900	31000	0.3271	4,525	1015	0.7118	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Western Illinois University Macomb, IL Typical Net Price $20,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,000 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 4,525 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 71.2 %
20	Aurora University	21000	50800	0.5865	4,106	1045	0.8085	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Aurora University Aurora, IL Typical Net Price $21,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,800 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 4,106 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 80.9 %
21	North Central College	21100	67800	0.6889	2,454	1203	0.7733	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Central College Naperville, IL Typical Net Price $21,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,800 % Savings 69% Undergraduates 2,454 Est. Median SAT 1,203 Acceptance Rate 77.3 %
22	Hebrew Theological College	21300	40400	0.4732	182	1090	0.5714	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Hebrew Theological College Skokie, IL Typical Net Price $21,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,400 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 182 Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 57.1 %
23	University of Illinois Chicago	22200	33800	0.3436	22,495	1252	0.7735	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $22,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,800 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 22,495 Est. Median SAT 1,252 Acceptance Rate 77.4 %
24	Lake Forest College	22500	75400	0.7021	1,814	1323	0.5681	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL Typical Net Price $22,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $75,400 % Savings 70% Undergraduates 1,814 Est. Median SAT 1,323 Acceptance Rate 56.8 %
25	Illinois Institute of Technology	23100	79200	0.7085	3,135	1307	0.5493	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $23,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $79,200 % Savings 71% Undergraduates 3,135 Est. Median SAT 1,307 Acceptance Rate 54.9 %
26	Concordia University-Chicago	23300	67800	0.6565	1,368	1100	0.9279	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Concordia University-Chicago River Forest, IL Typical Net Price $23,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,800 % Savings 66% Undergraduates 1,368 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 92.8 %
26	Monmouth College	23300	61400	0.6213	713	1120	0.9093	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Monmouth College Monmouth, IL Typical Net Price $23,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $61,400 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 713 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 90.9 %
28	Millikin University	23900	43700	0.4526	1,495	1020	0.6668	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Millikin University Decatur, IL Typical Net Price $23,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,700 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 1,495 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 66.7 %
29	Dominican University	24100	56000	0.5705	2,690	1005	0.9032	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Dominican University River Forest, IL Typical Net Price $24,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,000 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 2,690 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 90.3 %
30	Bradley University	24200	68400	0.6467	3,596	1223	0.7676	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bradley University Peoria, IL Typical Net Price $24,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,400 % Savings 65% Undergraduates 3,596 Est. Median SAT 1,223 Acceptance Rate 76.8 %
31	Columbia College Chicago	24300	66800	0.6361	5,422	0	0.8946	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $24,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $66,800 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 5,422 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 89.5 %
31	Judson University	24300	49100	0.5061	718	1015	0.4759	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Judson University Elgin, IL Typical Net Price $24,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,100 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 718 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 47.6 %
33	Lewis University	24700	58600	0.5787	4,326	1099	0.7129	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lewis University Romeoville, IL Typical Net Price $24,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,600 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 4,326 Est. Median SAT 1,099 Acceptance Rate 71.3 %
34	Augustana College	24900	72800	0.6582	2,522	1163	0.6268	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Augustana College Rock Island, IL Typical Net Price $24,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $72,800 % Savings 66% Undergraduates 2,522 Est. Median SAT 1,163 Acceptance Rate 62.7 %
35	Illinois State University	25100	35200	0.2882	19,107	1120	0.8815	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois State University Normal, IL Typical Net Price $25,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,200 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 19,107 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 88.2 %
36	Rockford University	25900	58500	0.5577	983	975	0.9291	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Rockford University Rockford, IL Typical Net Price $25,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,500 % Savings 56% Undergraduates 983 Est. Median SAT 975 Acceptance Rate 92.9 %
37	Benedictine University	26500	48900	0.4581	1,972	1161	0.9523	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Benedictine University Lisle, IL Typical Net Price $26,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,900 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 1,972 Est. Median SAT 1,161 Acceptance Rate 95.2 %
38	Illinois Wesleyan University	28300	75700	0.6255	1,582	1248	0.3931	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL Typical Net Price $28,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $75,700 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 1,582 Est. Median SAT 1,248 Acceptance Rate 39.3 %
39	Knox College	28400	76900	0.6302	1,136	1281	0.7079	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Knox College Galesburg, IL Typical Net Price $28,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $76,900 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 1,136 Est. Median SAT 1,281 Acceptance Rate 70.8 %
40	Roosevelt University	28600	47600	0.3999	2,868	1049	0.9716	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Roosevelt University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $28,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $47,600 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 2,868 Est. Median SAT 1,049 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
41	Elmhurst University	28700	67000	0.5719	3,213	1148	0.7364	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL Typical Net Price $28,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,000 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 3,213 Est. Median SAT 1,148 Acceptance Rate 73.6 %
42	Wheaton College	30700	84800	0.638	2,150	1363	0.874	#42 #42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wheaton College Wheaton, IL Typical Net Price $30,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $84,800 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 2,150 Est. Median SAT 1,363 Acceptance Rate 87.4 %
43	Chicago State University	30900	37600	0.1791	1,501	885	0.4326	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Chicago State University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $30,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,600 % Savings 18% Undergraduates 1,501 Est. Median SAT 885 Acceptance Rate 43.3 %
44	McKendree University	32100	52200	0.386	1,757	1098	0.7172	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings McKendree University Lebanon, IL Typical Net Price $32,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,200 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 1,757 Est. Median SAT 1,098 Acceptance Rate 71.7 %
45	DePaul University	37800	65400	0.4219	14,188	1254	0.7589	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings DePaul University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $37,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,400 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 14,188 Est. Median SAT 1,254 Acceptance Rate 75.9 %
46	Loyola University Chicago	41000	73200	0.4399	12,538	1303	0.816	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $41,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $73,200 % Savings 44% Undergraduates 12,538 Est. Median SAT 1,303 Acceptance Rate 81.6 %
47	School of the Art Institute of Chicago	57700	81700	0.2936	2,805	1160	0.7747	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $57,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $81,700 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 2,805 Est. Median SAT 1,160 Acceptance Rate 77.5 %