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:
| Rank | Institution | Typical Net Price | Sticker Price | % Savings | Undergraduates | Est. Median SAT | Acceptance Rate | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeastern University Professional Programs | 5700 | 53000 | 0.8921 | 2,525 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | Northwest Indian College | 10600 | 15500 | 0.3167 | 696 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Northern Illinois University | 12400 | 29000 | 0.5718 | 11,349 | 1070 | 0.6979 | |
| 4 | Grace Christian University | 12600 | 30700 | 0.5898 | 891 | 995 | 0.9931 | |
| 5 | Lincoln University | 13200 | 30900 | 0.572 | 1,545 | 890 | 0.6572 | |
| 6 | University of Delaware | 13600 | 32500 | 0.5809 | 19,119 | 1303 | 0.6356 | |
| 7 | East Central University | 14100 | 18500 | 0.2382 | 2,644 | 1055 | 0.5815 | |
| 8 | Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | 14400 | 41100 | 0.6502 | 8,975 | 1045 | 0.9721 | |
| 9 | Urshan College | 14700 | 20700 | 0.2897 | 514 | 1040 | 0.8387 | |
| 10 | Lindsey Wilson College | 15300 | 47600 | 0.6779 | 1,738 | 1035 | 0 | |
| 11 | Northeastern University | 16100 | 89900 | 0.8213 | 22,695 | 1490 | 0.0522 | |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | 16100 | 19000 | 0.1528 | 11,874 | 1082 | 0.8377 | |
| 13 | Waynesburg University | 16600 | 45000 | 0.6302 | 1,088 | 1099 | 0.9169 | |
| 14 | Central Washington University | 17200 | 22700 | 0.242 | 10,033 | 1060 | 0.9061 | |
| 15 | University of Mary | 17700 | 32600 | 0.4578 | 2,650 | 1189 | 0.7825 | |
| 16 | Quincy University | 18500 | 63000 | 0.7067 | 1,072 | 1115 | 0.5093 | |
| 17 | Arkansas Baptist College | 19000 | 24400 | 0.2213 | 373 | 0 | 0.5774 | |
| 18 | Gallaudet University | 19300 | 44200 | 0.5628 | 919 | 875 | 0.6094 | |
| 18 | Simpson College | 19300 | 59400 | 0.6752 | 1,140 | 1430 | 0.8888 | |
| 20 | Gordon State College | 19900 | 24900 | 0.2007 | 3,129 | 950 | 0.8678 | |
| 20 | Ohio University-Main Campus | 19900 | 24500 | 0.1874 | 19,888 | 1209 | 0.8517 | |
| 22 | Carson-Newman University | 20000 | 51700 | 0.613 | 1,606 | 1110 | 0.9045 | |
| 22 | Towson University | 20000 | 30000 | 0.3329 | 16,264 | 1093 | 0.8198 | |
| 24 | Texas Southern University | 20300 | 25700 | 0.2104 | 6,619 | 920 | 0.9335 | |
| 25 | Southwestern Christian University | 20600 | 26600 | 0.2254 | 351 | 930 | 0.8034 | |
| 26 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 20800 | 57800 | 0.6395 | 1,083 | 1193 | 0.9278 | |
| 27 | Wayland Baptist University | 20900 | 37300 | 0.4401 | 2,087 | 925 | 0.5596 | |
| 28 | Anna Maria College | 21900 | 54200 | 0.5964 | 995 | 985 | 0.896 | |
| 29 | Canisius University | 22000 | 53200 | 0.5861 | 1,724 | 1129 | 0.7224 | |
| 29 | University of the Cumberlands | 22000 | 26400 | 0.164 | 6,091 | 1110 | 0.7139 | |
| 31 | Grand View University | 22200 | 52500 | 0.5777 | 1,483 | 1035 | 0.9843 | |
| 31 | Upper Iowa University | 22200 | 41700 | 0.4668 | 2,504 | 1045 | 0.9338 | |
| 33 | Lancaster Bible College Capital Seminary & Graduate School | 22300 | 54400 | 0.5902 | 1,778 | 1115 | 0.9519 | |
| 34 | Buena Vista University | 22500 | 59100 | 0.6188 | 810 | 1124 | 0.7761 | |
| 35 | Saint Norbert College | 22600 | 62300 | 0.6373 | 1,970 | 1193 | 0.8574 | |
| 36 | Murray State University | 23000 | 27600 | 0.166 | 8,281 | 1124 | 0.8568 | |
| 37 | Bethel University | 23300 | 49200 | 0.5258 | 1,107 | 1029 | 0.9868 | |
| 38 | Saint Leo University | 23400 | 50000 | 0.5318 | 7,603 | 1085 | 0.721 | |
| 39 | Syracuse University | 23600 | 83100 | 0.716 | 15,958 | 1363 | 0.4611 | |
| 40 | William Woods University | 23800 | 60700 | 0.608 | 1,097 | 1140 | 0.7449 | |
| 41 | Malone University | 23900 | 55800 | 0.5717 | 992 | 1075 | 0.7586 | |
| 42 | Fontbonne University | 24000 | 50200 | 0.5221 | 650 | 1090 | 0.9503 | |
| 43 | Calumet College of Saint Joseph | 24200 | 42000 | 0.4236 | 560 | 915 | 0.5728 | |
| 44 | Judson University | 24300 | 49100 | 0.506 | 793 | 1049 | 0.624 | |
| 44 | Meredith College | 24300 | 65800 | 0.6311 | 1,206 | 1237 | 0.7418 | |
| 44 | Wisconsin Lutheran College | 24300 | 55200 | 0.5603 | 957 | 1233 | 0.7816 | |
| 47 | Elmira College | 24700 | 50000 | 0.5063 | 745 | 1250 | 0.7696 | |
| 47 | Midland University | 24700 | 63000 | 0.6075 | 1,333 | 1079 | 0.6692 | |
| 49 | Dominican University | 24800 | 55500 | 0.5522 | 2,690 | 1035 | 0.9032 | |
| 50 | Westminster College | 25100 | 53800 | 0.5339 | 593 | 1160 | 0.7758 | |
| 51 | Bellevue University | 25200 | 25700 | 0.0194 | 11,096 | 0 | 0.995 | |
| 52 | California State University-Fullerton | 25400 | 41400 | 0.3858 | 38,597 | 0 | 0.9052 | |
| 53 | Texas A&M University-Commerce | 25500 | 37400 | 0.3186 | 9,666 | 1040 | 0.7498 | |
| 54 | Shorter University | 25700 | 36500 | 0.2954 | 1,322 | 1090 | 0.9693 | |
| 55 | Geneva College | 25800 | 48900 | 0.4723 | 1,147 | 1110 | 0.8035 | |
| 56 | Bethel University | 25900 | 35300 | 0.2667 | 2,719 | 1171 | 0.9717 | |
| 57 | Doane University | 26000 | 62800 | 0.5861 | 1,323 | 1125 | 0.9801 | |
| 58 | North Central University | 26100 | 43800 | 0.4039 | 865 | 1075 | 0.9082 | |
| 58 | Valley City State University | 26100 | 28200 | 0.0735 | 1,651 | 1055 | 0.9907 | |
| 60 | Fitchburg State University | 26200 | 31300 | 0.163 | 3,027 | 1150 | 0.8693 | |
| 60 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | 26200 | 31800 | 0.1762 | 27,082 | 1099 | 0.8459 | |
| 60 | Warren Wilson College | 26200 | 57000 | 0.5401 | 742 | 1289 | 0.7771 | |
| 63 | Earlham College | 26500 | 75800 | 0.6509 | 696 | 1233 | 0.7311 | |
| 63 | University of Arizona | 26500 | 35200 | 0.247 | 45,025 | 1212 | 0.8614 | |
| 65 | Columbia College | 26900 | 41300 | 0.349 | 876 | 1025 | 0.8878 | |
| 65 | Wingate University | 26900 | 65000 | 0.5859 | 2,673 | 1100 | 0.9113 | |
| 67 | Kennesaw State University | 27000 | 27000 | 0 | 42,840 | 1120 | 0.6919 | |
| 67 | University of North Georgia | 27000 | 35500 | 0.2393 | 18,329 | 1100 | 0.6794 | |
| 69 | McPherson College | 27300 | 47600 | 0.4268 | 876 | 1065 | 0.7676 | |
| 70 | Southern Wesleyan University | 27400 | 43500 | 0.37 | 887 | 1090 | 1 | |
| 70 | Troy University | 27400 | 32600 | 0.1594 | 10,222 | 1090 | 0.9604 | |
| 72 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 27600 | 33700 | 0.1805 | 981 | 1193 | 0.7493 | |
| 72 | University of North Texas | 27600 | 37400 | 0.2622 | 34,458 | 1114 | 0.7223 | |
| 74 | Touro University | 27800 | 60200 | 0.5381 | 5,098 | 1366 | 0.6196 | |
| 75 | Ottawa University-Ottawa | 27900 | 54800 | 0.4907 | 936 | 980 | 0.8003 | |
| 76 | Grace College and Theological Seminary | 28300 | 41800 | 0.3221 | 1,817 | 1080 | 0.8078 | |
| 77 | Chestnut Hill College | 28700 | 74900 | 0.6169 | 972 | 995 | 0.7913 | |
| 77 | Mercy University | 28700 | 44500 | 0.3552 | 6,775 | 1074 | 0.8584 | |
| 79 | Rivier University | 29100 | 57700 | 0.4955 | 1,335 | 1060 | 0.8176 | |
| 80 | William Penn University | 29700 | 47200 | 0.3721 | 1,348 | 1000 | 0.5188 | |
| 81 | Hilbert College | 29800 | 54600 | 0.4546 | 939 | 1103 | 0.98 | |
| 81 | New England College | 29800 | 64600 | 0.539 | 1,032 | 930 | 0.9213 | |
| 83 | California State University-Monterey Bay | 29900 | 34000 | 0.1205 | 6,910 | 1053 | 0.9734 | |
| 83 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | 29900 | 51100 | 0.4151 | 1,477 | 1075 | 0.8068 | |
| 85 | Le Moyne College | 30100 | 53700 | 0.4396 | 2,563 | 1240 | 0.7529 | |
| 86 | Lander University | 30200 | 37000 | 0.1839 | 3,669 | 1060 | 0.6792 | |
| 87 | Fisher College | 30300 | 60900 | 0.502 | 1,384 | 961 | 0.7075 | |
| 88 | Franklin Pierce University | 30400 | 68300 | 0.5548 | 1,058 | 1095 | 0.9083 | |
| 89 | East Tennessee State University | 30700 | 30700 | 0 | 10,633 | 1124 | 0.8706 | |
| 90 | Columbia International University | 31700 | 44800 | 0.2919 | 721 | 1079 | 0.9461 | |
| 90 | Missouri Baptist University | 31700 | 53800 | 0.4102 | 4,958 | 843 | 0.686 | |
| 92 | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | 32000 | 50000 | 0.3611 | 898 | 1044 | 0.7614 | |
| 92 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs | 32000 | 41600 | 0.231 | 9,302 | 1125 | 0.9735 | |
| 94 | University of Bridgeport | 32300 | 60500 | 0.4663 | 1,479 | 1065 | 0.6431 | |
| 94 | University of Scranton | 32300 | 76300 | 0.5763 | 3,613 | 1220 | 0.812 | |
| 96 | Southern New Hampshire University | 32400 | 47600 | 0.3192 | 159,653 | 965 | 0.9612 | |
| 97 | Spring Arbor University | 32600 | 51100 | 0.3633 | 1,091 | 1120 | 0.3733 | |
| 98 | Southeastern University | 32700 | 60500 | 0.4592 | 10,351 | 1130 | 0.6165 | |
| 99 | Liberty University | 32800 | 43900 | 0.2528 | 52,823 | 1181 | 0.9932 | |
| 100 | Mount Saint Mary College | 33200 | 68400 | 0.5147 | 2,141 | 1090 | 0.8888 | |
| 100 | University of Oregon | 33200 | 38600 | 0.1391 | 20,622 | 1250 | 0.883 | |
| 102 | Hardin-Simmons University | 33500 | 49700 | 0.326 | 1,283 | 1080 | 0.9653 | |
| 103 | Anderson University | 33600 | 52400 | 0.3588 | 3,405 | 1209 | 0.5471 | |
| 103 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | 33600 | 46200 | 0.2729 | 8,553 | 1054 | 0.8688 | |
| 105 | Elizabethtown College | 33700 | 54600 | 0.383 | 1,903 | 1214 | 0.7787 | |
| 105 | George Washington University | 33700 | 81800 | 0.5882 | 11,677 | 1421 | 0.4709 | |
| 105 | Stephen F Austin State University | 33700 | 42800 | 0.2126 | 9,129 | 1060 | 0.7445 | |
| 108 | Beacon College | 33800 | 75800 | 0.5537 | 531 | 0 | 0.1677 | |
| 109 | Emmanuel College | 33900 | 68300 | 0.5039 | 1,909 | 1260 | 0.7565 | |
| 110 | LeTourneau University | 34100 | 54600 | 0.3754 | 3,184 | 1178 | 0.3801 | |
| 111 | Nova Southeastern University | 34300 | 56300 | 0.3905 | 7,307 | 1165 | 0.7324 | |
| 112 | University of South Florida | 34700 | 34700 | 0 | 38,525 | 1239 | 0.4319 | |
| 113 | University of North Texas at Dallas | 35000 | 37600 | 0.0685 | 3,018 | 920 | 0.9386 | |
| 114 | City University of Seattle | 35100 | 45400 | 0.227 | 1,180 | 0 | 0.9025 | |
| 115 | California Baptist University | 35200 | 65200 | 0.4601 | 8,417 | 1069 | 0.8535 | |
| 115 | Goldey-Beacom College | 35200 | 38100 | 0.0768 | 702 | 0 | 0.7653 | |
| 117 | University of Mount Olive | 35300 | 35300 | 0 | 1,937 | 945 | 0.7775 | |
| 118 | Seton Hill University | 35800 | 63800 | 0.4386 | 1,597 | 1150 | 0.7579 | |
| 119 | Ottawa University-Surprise | 36200 | 56500 | 0.3594 | 768 | 980 | 0.3988 | |
| 120 | Pennsylvania College of Technology | 36400 | 45500 | 0.2001 | 4,264 | 1130 | 0.7423 | |
| 121 | Mercer University | 36500 | 60500 | 0.3967 | 4,690 | 1273 | 0.6889 | |
| 122 | University of Northern Colorado | 36900 | 38900 | 0.0514 | 6,480 | 1085 | 0.9363 | |
| 123 | Bluefield University | 37200 | 43200 | 0.1389 | 694 | 995 | 0.6272 | |
| 124 | Lesley University | 37700 | 54600 | 0.3093 | 1,342 | 1140 | 0.9442 | |
| 125 | Queens University of Charlotte | 37800 | 68200 | 0.4455 | 1,225 | 1235 | 0.5651 | |
| 126 | Loyola University Chicago | 40000 | 67600 | 0.4085 | 12,538 | 1303 | 0.816 | |
| 127 | Ohio Christian University | 40200 | 42300 | 0.049 | 1,340 | 890 | 0.399 | |
| 128 | Montreat College | 40900 | 55000 | 0.256 | 759 | 1055 | 0.6555 | |
| 129 | York College of Pennsylvania | 41400 | 41400 | 0 | 3,308 | 1135 | 0.942 | |
| 130 | Central Christian College of Kansas | 43100 | 45200 | 0.0459 | 437 | 1020 | 0.957 | |
| 131 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 43700 | 43700 | 0 | 11,554 | 1100 | 0.5516 | |
| 132 | Lees-McRae College | 44600 | 58700 | 0.2397 | 873 | 1140 | 0.7685 | |
| 133 | Western Washington University | 45000 | 50900 | 0.1158 | 13,752 | 1218 | 0.9325 | |
| 134 | Spelman College | 47500 | 49600 | 0.0418 | 2,712 | 1218 | 0.2487 | |
| 135 | Elon University | 66000 | 67300 | 0.0193 | 6,452 | 1244 | 0.6635 |
School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.
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