Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of Illinois

Most Affordable Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, 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
Illinois
Rank Institution Typical Net Price Sticker Price % Savings Undergraduates Est. Median SAT Acceptance Rate Save
1 Brigham Young University 8000 22000 0.6362 32,952 1374 0.6778
#1

#1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Brigham Young University
Provo, UT

Sticker Price

$22,000

% Savings

64%

Undergraduates

32,952

Est. Median SAT

1,374

Acceptance Rate

67.8 %

2 California State University-Northridge 9300 36500 0.746 32,499 1005 0.881
#2

#2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA

Sticker Price

$36,500

% Savings

75%

Undergraduates

32,499

Est. Median SAT

1,005

Acceptance Rate

88.1 %

3 Stephen F Austin State University 10300 27800 0.6285 9,129 1060 0.7445
#3

#3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Sticker Price

$27,800

% Savings

63%

Undergraduates

9,129

Est. Median SAT

1,060

Acceptance Rate

74.5 %

4 California State University-Sacramento 11700 30700 0.6186 28,226 1015 0.9343
#4

#4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Sticker Price

$30,700

% Savings

62%

Undergraduates

28,226

Est. Median SAT

1,015

Acceptance Rate

93.4 %

5 University of Houston 12000 28400 0.5781 39,257 1249 0.7392
#5

#5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Houston
Houston, TX

Sticker Price

$28,400

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

39,257

Est. Median SAT

1,249

Acceptance Rate

73.9 %

6 California State University-Fresno 12200 45900 0.7349 21,430 995 0.9638
#6

#6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA

Sticker Price

$45,900

% Savings

73%

Undergraduates

21,430

Est. Median SAT

995

Acceptance Rate

96.4 %

7 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 12700 34600 0.6336 8,975 1065 0.9721
#7

#7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Sticker Price

$34,600

% Savings

63%

Undergraduates

8,975

Est. Median SAT

1,065

Acceptance Rate

97.2 %

8 Fort Valley State University 12800 44300 0.7115 2,558 890 0.628
#8

#8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley, GA

Sticker Price

$44,300

% Savings

71%

Undergraduates

2,558

Est. Median SAT

890

Acceptance Rate

62.8 %

9 Eastern Illinois University 13000 24300 0.4652 6,785 990 0.6535
#9

#9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Sticker Price

$24,300

% Savings

47%

Undergraduates

6,785

Est. Median SAT

990

Acceptance Rate

65.4 %

10 Northern Illinois University 13200 29000 0.5439 11,349 1070 0.6979
#10

#10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Sticker Price

$29,000

% Savings

54%

Undergraduates

11,349

Est. Median SAT

1,070

Acceptance Rate

69.8 %

11 Norfolk State University 13800 40300 0.658 5,510 980 0.8746
#11

#11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Sticker Price

$40,300

% Savings

66%

Undergraduates

5,510

Est. Median SAT

980

Acceptance Rate

87.5 %

12 Delta State University 14000 23200 0.3971 1,876 1040 1
#12

#12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Delta State University
Cleveland, MS

Sticker Price

$23,200

% Savings

40%

Undergraduates

1,876

Est. Median SAT

1,040

Acceptance Rate

100.0 %

13 East Central University 14500 37600 0.6142 2,644 1055 0.5815
#13

#13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

East Central University
Ada, OK

Sticker Price

$37,600

% Savings

61%

Undergraduates

2,644

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

58.2 %

13 Southeast Missouri State University 14500 28200 0.4869 7,926 1080 0.6897
#13

#13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Sticker Price

$28,200

% Savings

49%

Undergraduates

7,926

Est. Median SAT

1,080

Acceptance Rate

69.0 %

15 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14900 37800 0.6066 1,905 895 0.5754
#15

#15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, AR

Sticker Price

$37,800

% Savings

61%

Undergraduates

1,905

Est. Median SAT

895

Acceptance Rate

57.5 %

16 Chadron State College 15300 25400 0.3979 1,785 0 0
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Chadron State College
Chadron, NE

Sticker Price

$25,400

% Savings

40%

Undergraduates

1,785

Est. Median SAT

--

Acceptance Rate

--

16 University of Maryland Eastern Shore 15300 45200 0.6609 2,233 930 0.9036
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD

Sticker Price

$45,200

% Savings

66%

Undergraduates

2,233

Est. Median SAT

930

Acceptance Rate

90.4 %

18 Central Washington University 15600 27900 0.4416 10,033 1060 0.9061
#18

#18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Sticker Price

$27,900

% Savings

44%

Undergraduates

10,033

Est. Median SAT

1,060

Acceptance Rate

90.6 %

19 California State University-Long Beach 15800 25800 0.3877 35,843 1135 0.4628
#19

#19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Sticker Price

$25,800

% Savings

39%

Undergraduates

35,843

Est. Median SAT

1,135

Acceptance Rate

46.3 %

19 Wayne State College 15800 20000 0.2099 3,902 0 1
#19

#19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Sticker Price

$20,000

% Savings

21%

Undergraduates

3,902

Est. Median SAT

--

Acceptance Rate

100.0 %

21 Mississippi University for Women 15900 21400 0.2574 1,995 1055 1
#21

#21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MS

Sticker Price

$21,400

% Savings

26%

Undergraduates

1,995

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

100.0 %

22 Jacksonville State University 16400 36100 0.5455 8,663 1069 0.7769
#22

#22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

Sticker Price

$36,100

% Savings

55%

Undergraduates

8,663

Est. Median SAT

1,069

Acceptance Rate

77.7 %

23 Ohio University-Main Campus 16500 23200 0.2888 19,888 1209 0.8517
#23

#23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH

Sticker Price

$23,200

% Savings

29%

Undergraduates

19,888

Est. Median SAT

1,209

Acceptance Rate

85.2 %

24 Alabama A & M University 16600 44800 0.6289 5,845 920 0.6622
#24

#24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL

Sticker Price

$44,800

% Savings

63%

Undergraduates

5,845

Est. Median SAT

920

Acceptance Rate

66.2 %

25 Southeastern Louisiana University 16800 45800 0.6339 13,206 1125 0.9387
#25

#25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA

Sticker Price

$45,800

% Savings

63%

Undergraduates

13,206

Est. Median SAT

1,125

Acceptance Rate

93.9 %

26 Morgan State University 17600 37200 0.5269 9,027 965 0.8223
#26

#26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Sticker Price

$37,200

% Savings

53%

Undergraduates

9,027

Est. Median SAT

965

Acceptance Rate

82.2 %

27 San Francisco State University 18100 55400 0.6733 20,756 1035 0.9615
#27

#27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Sticker Price

$55,400

% Savings

67%

Undergraduates

20,756

Est. Median SAT

1,035

Acceptance Rate

96.2 %

28 Carson-Newman University 18300 51900 0.6476 1,606 1110 0.9045
#28

#28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City, TN

Sticker Price

$51,900

% Savings

65%

Undergraduates

1,606

Est. Median SAT

1,110

Acceptance Rate

90.5 %

29 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus 18400 28200 0.3471 7,353 1085 0.9077
#29

#29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Sticker Price

$28,200

% Savings

35%

Undergraduates

7,353

Est. Median SAT

1,085

Acceptance Rate

90.8 %

30 Texas Woman's University 18500 28200 0.344 10,034 1055 0.9613
#30

#30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX

Sticker Price

$28,200

% Savings

34%

Undergraduates

10,034

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

96.1 %

31 Texas Southern University 19800 25500 0.2239 6,619 915 0.9335
#31

#31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Sticker Price

$25,500

% Savings

22%

Undergraduates

6,619

Est. Median SAT

915

Acceptance Rate

93.4 %

32 South Carolina State University 20100 42000 0.5209 2,950 910 0.8262
#32

#32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC

Sticker Price

$42,000

% Savings

52%

Undergraduates

2,950

Est. Median SAT

910

Acceptance Rate

82.6 %

33 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 20300 45200 0.5514 31,035 1366 0.5499
#33

#33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA

Sticker Price

$45,200

% Savings

55%

Undergraduates

31,035

Est. Median SAT

1,366

Acceptance Rate

55.0 %

34 Henderson State University 20400 37500 0.4564 1,493 1075 0.8192
#34

#34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR

Sticker Price

$37,500

% Savings

46%

Undergraduates

1,493

Est. Median SAT

1,075

Acceptance Rate

81.9 %

35 Purdue University-Main Campus 20700 30600 0.3258 44,170 1327 0.4979
#35

#35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Sticker Price

$30,600

% Savings

33%

Undergraduates

44,170

Est. Median SAT

1,327

Acceptance Rate

49.8 %

36 Western Illinois University 21000 31000 0.3228 4,525 1000 0.7118
#36

#36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Sticker Price

$31,000

% Savings

32%

Undergraduates

4,525

Est. Median SAT

1,000

Acceptance Rate

71.2 %

37 Southern University and A & M College 21100 36700 0.4249 6,571 925 0.4987
#37

#37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southern University and A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA

Sticker Price

$36,700

% Savings

42%

Undergraduates

6,571

Est. Median SAT

925

Acceptance Rate

49.9 %

37 University of Northern Iowa 21100 24000 0.123 7,716 1115 0.8713
#37

#37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

Sticker Price

$24,000

% Savings

12%

Undergraduates

7,716

Est. Median SAT

1,115

Acceptance Rate

87.1 %

39 University of Montevallo 21500 53500 0.5979 2,545 1124 0.539
#39

#39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Montevallo
Montevallo, AL

Sticker Price

$53,500

% Savings

60%

Undergraduates

2,545

Est. Median SAT

1,124

Acceptance Rate

53.9 %

40 Montana State University 23100 31500 0.2667 15,053 1184 0.8214
#40

#40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

Sticker Price

$31,500

% Savings

27%

Undergraduates

15,053

Est. Median SAT

1,184

Acceptance Rate

82.1 %

41 Illinois State University 25200 35200 0.2843 19,107 1115 0.8815
#41

#41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Sticker Price

$35,200

% Savings

28%

Undergraduates

19,107

Est. Median SAT

1,115

Acceptance Rate

88.2 %

42 The University of Tennessee-Martin 25500 31500 0.1906 6,817 1110 0.882
#42

#42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

The University of Tennessee-Martin
Martin, TN

Sticker Price

$31,500

% Savings

19%

Undergraduates

6,817

Est. Median SAT

1,110

Acceptance Rate

88.2 %

43 Seattle Pacific University 26100 77000 0.6614 1,776 1188 0.8339
#43

#43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Sticker Price

$77,000

% Savings

66%

Undergraduates

1,776

Est. Median SAT

1,188

Acceptance Rate

83.4 %

44 Iowa State University 26400 42800 0.3836 25,628 1207 0.8866
#44

#44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Sticker Price

$42,800

% Savings

38%

Undergraduates

25,628

Est. Median SAT

1,207

Acceptance Rate

88.7 %

45 University of New Mexico-Main Campus 27500 43800 0.3725 17,771 1044 0.7933
#45

#45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

Sticker Price

$43,800

% Savings

37%

Undergraduates

17,771

Est. Median SAT

1,044

Acceptance Rate

79.3 %

46 Kansas State University 29200 31400 0.0716 15,650 1164 0.8199
#46

#46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Sticker Price

$31,400

% Savings

7%

Undergraduates

15,650

Est. Median SAT

1,164

Acceptance Rate

82.0 %

47 Pittsburg State University 29300 36300 0.1929 4,491 1055 0.8727
#47

#47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

Sticker Price

$36,300

% Savings

19%

Undergraduates

4,491

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

87.3 %

48 Oklahoma Baptist University 30700 54700 0.4383 1,409 1110 0.5568
#48

#48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Oklahoma Baptist University
Shawnee, OK

Sticker Price

$54,700

% Savings

44%

Undergraduates

1,409

Est. Median SAT

1,110

Acceptance Rate

55.7 %

49 Meredith College 30800 64200 0.5204 1,206 1237 0.7418
#49

#49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Sticker Price

$64,200

% Savings

52%

Undergraduates

1,206

Est. Median SAT

1,237

Acceptance Rate

74.2 %

50 Liberty University 31900 44300 0.2799 52,823 1181 0.9932
#50

#50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Sticker Price

$44,300

% Savings

28%

Undergraduates

52,823

Est. Median SAT

1,181

Acceptance Rate

99.3 %

51 Bridgewater College 32200 40200 0.1979 1,407 1174 0.9172
#51

#51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Sticker Price

$40,200

% Savings

20%

Undergraduates

1,407

Est. Median SAT

1,174

Acceptance Rate

91.7 %

52 Freed-Hardeman University 33500 35900 0.0668 1,878 1120 0.9061
#52

#52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, TN

Sticker Price

$35,900

% Savings

7%

Undergraduates

1,878

Est. Median SAT

1,120

Acceptance Rate

90.6 %

53 Minnesota State University, Mankato 34300 37200 0.0793 12,897 1160 0.9133
#53

#53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN

Sticker Price

$37,200

% Savings

8%

Undergraduates

12,897

Est. Median SAT

1,160

Acceptance Rate

91.3 %

54 Baylor University 34700 70300 0.5063 14,915 1277 0.5128
#54

#54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Sticker Price

$70,300

% Savings

51%

Undergraduates

14,915

Est. Median SAT

1,277

Acceptance Rate

51.3 %

55 North Carolina A & T State University 36200 36600 0.0109 12,216 1040 0.4617
#55

#55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC

Sticker Price

$36,600

% Savings

1%

Undergraduates

12,216

Est. Median SAT

1,040

Acceptance Rate

46.2 %

56 University of Central Arkansas 36400 38400 0.0509 8,268 1124 0.8949
#56

#56 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

Sticker Price

$38,400

% Savings

5%

Undergraduates

8,268

Est. Median SAT

1,124

Acceptance Rate

89.5 %

57 Tennessee Technological University 36600 38500 0.0508 8,838 1159 0.8316
#57

#57 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

Sticker Price

$38,500

% Savings

5%

Undergraduates

8,838

Est. Median SAT

1,159

Acceptance Rate

83.2 %

58 Texas Tech University 38800 41000 0.0537 32,580 1200 0.7265
#58

#58 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Sticker Price

$41,000

% Savings

5%

Undergraduates

32,580

Est. Median SAT

1,200

Acceptance Rate

72.7 %

59 The University of Texas at Austin 45300 45300 0 43,165 1348 0.2664
#59

#59 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX

Sticker Price

$45,300

% Savings

--

Undergraduates

43,165

Est. Median SAT

1,348

Acceptance Rate

26.6 %

60 University of Kentucky 49000 56600 0.1343 25,535 1193 0.9294
#60

#60 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

Sticker Price

$56,600

% Savings

13%

Undergraduates

25,535

Est. Median SAT

1,193

Acceptance Rate

92.9 %

61 University of Utah 51700 53700 0.0364 28,064 1237 0.8598
#61

#61 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Sticker Price

$53,700

% Savings

4%

Undergraduates

28,064

Est. Median SAT

1,237

Acceptance Rate

86.0 %

62 University of Minnesota Twin Cities 53500 61000 0.1238 41,303 1338 0.7975
#62

#62 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Sticker Price

$61,000

% Savings

12%

Undergraduates

41,303

Est. Median SAT

1,338

Acceptance Rate

79.8 %

63 Miami University-Oxford 56600 56600 0 16,816 1299 0.754
#63

#63 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Miami University-Oxford
Oxford, OH

Sticker Price

$56,600

% Savings

--

Undergraduates

16,816

Est. Median SAT

1,299

Acceptance Rate

75.4 %

64 The University of Alabama 57100 57100 0 34,389 1233 0.7665
#64

#64 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

Sticker Price

$57,100

% Savings

--

Undergraduates

34,389

Est. Median SAT

1,233

Acceptance Rate

76.7 %

65 Auburn University 58700 58700 0 27,907 1324 0.4593
#65

#65 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Sticker Price

$58,700

% Savings

--

Undergraduates

27,907

Est. Median SAT

1,324

Acceptance Rate

45.9 %

66 Colorado State University-Fort Collins 59200 61200 0.0319 26,500 1183 0.8857
#66

#66 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Sticker Price

$61,200

% Savings

3%

Undergraduates

26,500

Est. Median SAT

1,183

Acceptance Rate

88.6 %

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

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