Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of Illinois

Most Affordable Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services Colleges in Illinois 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	Covenant College	8400	87500	0.904	1,087	1260	0.8651	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Covenant College Lookout Mountain, GA Typical Net Price $8,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $87,500 % Savings 90% Undergraduates 1,087 Est. Median SAT 1,260 Acceptance Rate 86.5 %
2	Idaho State University	11500	27700	0.5846	10,406	0	0.8396	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Idaho State University Pocatello, ID Typical Net Price $11,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,700 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 10,406 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 84.0 %
3	Northern Illinois University	12400	29000	0.5718	11,349	1070	0.6979	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Typical Net Price $12,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,000 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 11,349 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 69.8 %
4	Brigham Young University	12500	29000	0.5686	32,221	1374	0.6919	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Brigham Young University Provo, UT Typical Net Price $12,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,000 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 32,221 Est. Median SAT 1,374 Acceptance Rate 69.2 %
5	Utah State University	13000	30000	0.5659	25,920	1176	0.9247	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Utah State University Logan, UT Typical Net Price $13,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,000 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 25,920 Est. Median SAT 1,176 Acceptance Rate 92.5 %
6	University of Idaho	14300	26400	0.458	9,574	1119	0.7553	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Idaho Moscow, ID Typical Net Price $14,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,400 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 9,574 Est. Median SAT 1,119 Acceptance Rate 75.5 %
7	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville	14400	41100	0.6502	8,975	1045	0.9721	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Typical Net Price $14,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,100 % Savings 65% Undergraduates 8,975 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
8	Pittsburg State University	14500	25200	0.4241	4,491	1055	0.8727	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS Typical Net Price $14,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,200 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 4,491 Est. Median SAT 1,055 Acceptance Rate 87.3 %
8	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point	14500	27700	0.4766	7,557	1140	0.9037	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Typical Net Price $14,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,700 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 7,557 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 90.4 %
10	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	15300	28100	0.4555	8,553	1054	0.8688	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Typical Net Price $15,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 8,553 Est. Median SAT 1,054 Acceptance Rate 86.9 %
11	Wayne State College	15600	26400	0.4096	3,902	1075	1	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wayne State College Wayne, NE Typical Net Price $15,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,400 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 3,902 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 100.0 %
12	Chadron State College	15700	25600	0.3868	1,785	0	0	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Chadron State College Chadron, NE Typical Net Price $15,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,600 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 1,785 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate --
13	Trinity University	15800	64800	0.7563	2,518	1402	0.2592	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trinity University San Antonio, TX Typical Net Price $15,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,800 % Savings 76% Undergraduates 2,518 Est. Median SAT 1,402 Acceptance Rate 25.9 %
14	University of St Thomas	15900	50900	0.6878	3,395	1080	0.8993	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of St Thomas Houston, TX Typical Net Price $15,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,900 % Savings 69% Undergraduates 3,395 Est. Median SAT 1,080 Acceptance Rate 89.9 %
15	Northeastern University	16100	89900	0.8213	22,695	1490	0.0522	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northeastern University Boston, MA Typical Net Price $16,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $89,900 % Savings 82% Undergraduates 22,695 Est. Median SAT 1,490 Acceptance Rate 5.2 %
16	Southeast Missouri State University	16600	30300	0.4533	7,926	1080	0.6897	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO Typical Net Price $16,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,300 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 7,926 Est. Median SAT 1,080 Acceptance Rate 69.0 %
17	Central Washington University	17400	22700	0.2332	10,033	1060	0.9061	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA Typical Net Price $17,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $22,700 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 10,033 Est. Median SAT 1,060 Acceptance Rate 90.6 %
18	University of Vermont	18300	37800	0.5164	12,276	1379	0.653	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Vermont Burlington, VT Typical Net Price $18,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,800 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 12,276 Est. Median SAT 1,379 Acceptance Rate 65.3 %
19	Cleveland State University	19700	37300	0.4721	9,418	1005	0.913	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH Typical Net Price $19,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,300 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 9,418 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 91.3 %
20	Carson-Newman University	20000	51700	0.613	1,606	1110	0.9045	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN Typical Net Price $20,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,700 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 1,606 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 90.5 %
21	Langston University	20200	30800	0.3446	1,743	902	0.6096	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Langston University Langston, OK Typical Net Price $20,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,800 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 1,743 Est. Median SAT 902 Acceptance Rate 61.0 %
22	Western Michigan University	20500	31200	0.3426	13,860	1104	0.846	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI Typical Net Price $20,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,200 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 13,860 Est. Median SAT 1,104 Acceptance Rate 84.6 %
23	South Dakota State University	20600	25200	0.1814	10,728	1120	0.9834	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Typical Net Price $20,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,200 % Savings 18% Undergraduates 10,728 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 98.3 %
24	University of Nebraska at Kearney	22500	26500	0.1512	4,214	1090	0.8949	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE Typical Net Price $22,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,500 % Savings 15% Undergraduates 4,214 Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 89.5 %
25	Eastern Kentucky University	23500	38000	0.3811	12,726	1055	0.9695	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Typical Net Price $23,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,000 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 12,726 Est. Median SAT 1,055 Acceptance Rate 97.0 %
26	Oral Roberts University	23800	55600	0.5718	5,017	1139	0.989	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OK Typical Net Price $23,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,600 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 5,017 Est. Median SAT 1,139 Acceptance Rate 98.9 %
27	Illinois Institute of Technology	23900	71600	0.6664	3,135	1299	0.5493	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $23,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $71,600 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 3,135 Est. Median SAT 1,299 Acceptance Rate 54.9 %
27	University of Kentucky	23900	36000	0.3362	25,535	1193	0.9294	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Typical Net Price $23,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,000 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 25,535 Est. Median SAT 1,193 Acceptance Rate 92.9 %
29	Calvin University	24600	53000	0.536	3,356	1214	0.7091	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI Typical Net Price $24,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $53,000 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 3,356 Est. Median SAT 1,214 Acceptance Rate 70.9 %
29	St Catherine University	24600	69800	0.647	2,505	1135	0.9185	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN Typical Net Price $24,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $69,800 % Savings 65% Undergraduates 2,505 Est. Median SAT 1,135 Acceptance Rate 91.9 %
31	Houghton University	25200	35500	0.29	939	1277	0.8866	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Houghton University Houghton, NY Typical Net Price $25,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,500 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 939 Est. Median SAT 1,277 Acceptance Rate 88.7 %
32	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	25800	36500	0.2928	14,783	1124	0.8096	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH Typical Net Price $25,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,500 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 14,783 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 81.0 %
33	University of Wisconsin-Stout	26700	28800	0.072	6,124	1159	0.8747	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI Typical Net Price $26,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,800 % Savings 7% Undergraduates 6,124 Est. Median SAT 1,159 Acceptance Rate 87.5 %
34	Tulane University of Louisiana	26900	83600	0.6785	7,283	1451	0.1398	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA Typical Net Price $26,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $83,600 % Savings 68% Undergraduates 7,283 Est. Median SAT 1,451 Acceptance Rate 14.0 %
35	Seattle Pacific University	27700	62600	0.5576	1,776	1188	0.8339	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA Typical Net Price $27,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $62,600 % Savings 56% Undergraduates 1,776 Est. Median SAT 1,188 Acceptance Rate 83.4 %
36	North Dakota State University	27900	30400	0.0815	9,762	1110	0.9496	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Typical Net Price $27,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,400 % Savings 8% Undergraduates 9,762 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 95.0 %
37	Northland College	28700	63200	0.5457	485	1150	0.7887	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northland College Ashland, WI Typical Net Price $28,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $63,200 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 485 Est. Median SAT 1,150 Acceptance Rate 78.9 %
38	Messiah University	29300	54100	0.4586	2,618	1241	0.7897	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Typical Net Price $29,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,100 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 2,618 Est. Median SAT 1,241 Acceptance Rate 79.0 %
39	SUNY Buffalo State University	30500	39500	0.2277	5,205	1118	0.744	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NY Typical Net Price $30,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,500 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 5,205 Est. Median SAT 1,118 Acceptance Rate 74.4 %
40	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	30600	31100	0.0161	19,701	1214	0.8749	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Typical Net Price $30,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,100 % Savings 2% Undergraduates 19,701 Est. Median SAT 1,214 Acceptance Rate 87.5 %
41	University of Dayton	32800	64100	0.4883	7,737	1284	0.6566	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Dayton Dayton, OH Typical Net Price $32,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,100 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 7,737 Est. Median SAT 1,284 Acceptance Rate 65.7 %
42	Virginia State University	33400	42200	0.2087	4,829	935	0.891	#42 #42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Virginia State University Petersburg, VA Typical Net Price $33,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,200 % Savings 21% Undergraduates 4,829 Est. Median SAT 935 Acceptance Rate 89.1 %
43	Minnesota State University, Mankato	34200	37200	0.0826	12,897	1110	0.9133	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, MN Typical Net Price $34,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,200 % Savings 8% Undergraduates 12,897 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 91.3 %
44	Western Kentucky University	36200	41900	0.1361	14,151	1090	0.9387	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Typical Net Price $36,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,900 % Savings 14% Undergraduates 14,151 Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 93.9 %
45	University of Central Arkansas	36300	38400	0.0541	8,268	1110	0.8949	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR Typical Net Price $36,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,400 % Savings 5% Undergraduates 8,268 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 89.5 %
46	East Carolina University	37100	40100	0.0748	21,445	1120	0.8922	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings East Carolina University Greenville, NC Typical Net Price $37,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,100 % Savings 7% Undergraduates 21,445 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 89.2 %
47	University of Central Oklahoma	37600	38500	0.0234	10,454	1095	0.8176	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK Typical Net Price $37,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,500 % Savings 2% Undergraduates 10,454 Est. Median SAT 1,095 Acceptance Rate 81.8 %
48	CUNY Queens College	38300	38300	0	13,464	1146	0.6434	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings CUNY Queens College Queens, NY Typical Net Price $38,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,300 % Savings -- Undergraduates 13,464 Est. Median SAT 1,146 Acceptance Rate 64.3 %
49	University of Georgia	40300	46000	0.1242	31,514	1336	0.3719	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Georgia Athens, GA Typical Net Price $40,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,000 % Savings 12% Undergraduates 31,514 Est. Median SAT 1,336 Acceptance Rate 37.2 %
50	University of California-Los Angeles	40400	68600	0.4116	33,471	1399	0.0897	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Typical Net Price $40,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,600 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 33,471 Est. Median SAT 1,399 Acceptance Rate 9.0 %
51	SUNY Oneonta	40500	45300	0.1059	4,681	1190	0.6959	#51 #51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY Typical Net Price $40,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,300 % Savings 11% Undergraduates 4,681 Est. Median SAT 1,190 Acceptance Rate 69.6 %
52	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	42600	55100	0.227	42,604	1336	0.6056	#52 #52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA Typical Net Price $42,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,100 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 42,604 Est. Median SAT 1,336 Acceptance Rate 60.6 %
53	Point Loma Nazarene University	45800	68600	0.332	3,246	1296	0.8367	#53 #53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA Typical Net Price $45,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,600 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 3,246 Est. Median SAT 1,296 Acceptance Rate 83.7 %
54	University of St Thomas	50100	70300	0.2875	6,044	1270	0.9125	#54 #54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN Typical Net Price $50,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $70,300 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 6,044 Est. Median SAT 1,270 Acceptance Rate 91.3 %
55	University of Minnesota Twin Cities	53400	61000	0.1257	41,303	1338	0.7975	#55 #55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Typical Net Price $53,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $61,000 % Savings 13% Undergraduates 41,303 Est. Median SAT 1,338 Acceptance Rate 79.8 %