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	Hebrew Theological College	3700	40900	0.9104	197	1090	0.92	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Hebrew Theological College Skokie, IL Typical Net Price $3,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,900 % Savings 91% Undergraduates 197 Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 92.0 %
2	University of Chicago	4000	87200	0.9541	7,519	1535	0.0448	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $4,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $87,200 % Savings 95% Undergraduates 7,519 Est. Median SAT 1,535 Acceptance Rate 4.5 %
3	Millikin University	9600	43400	0.7794	1,496	1020	0.6668	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Millikin University Decatur, IL Typical Net Price $9,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,400 % Savings 78% Undergraduates 1,496 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 66.7 %
4	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	11300	34400	0.6706	37,140	1442	0.4237	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Typical Net Price $11,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,400 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 37,140 Est. Median SAT 1,442 Acceptance Rate 42.4 %
5	Northern Illinois University	12300	29000	0.5744	11,349	1070	0.6979	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Typical Net Price $12,300 • 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 %
6	Northwestern University	12600	87700	0.8563	8,846	1513	0.0722	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northwestern University Evanston, IL Typical Net Price $12,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $87,700 % Savings 86% Undergraduates 8,846 Est. Median SAT 1,513 Acceptance Rate 7.2 %
7	Eastern Illinois University	12700	24500	0.4797	6,785	1020	0.6535	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Typical Net Price $12,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,500 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 6,785 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 65.4 %
8	Governors State University	14100	35200	0.6002	2,573	774	0.4827	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Governors State University University Park, IL Typical Net Price $14,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,200 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 2,573 Est. Median SAT 774 Acceptance Rate 48.3 %
9	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville	14500	41100	0.6478	8,975	1045	0.9721	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Typical Net Price $14,500 • 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 %
9	University of Illinois Springfield	14500	29800	0.5128	2,342	1140	0.8437	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL Typical Net Price $14,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,800 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 2,342 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 84.4 %
11	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	15400	28100	0.452	8,553	1054	0.8688	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Typical Net Price $15,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 8,553 Est. Median SAT 1,054 Acceptance Rate 86.9 %
12	Quincy University	18500	63000	0.7067	1,072	1115	0.5093	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Quincy University Quincy, IL Typical Net Price $18,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $63,000 % Savings 71% Undergraduates 1,072 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 50.9 %
13	Illinois College	18900	52300	0.6391	940	1054	0.7819	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois College Jacksonville, IL Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,300 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 940 Est. Median SAT 1,054 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
14	Wheaton College	19600	82000	0.7609	2,119	1351	0.8998	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wheaton College Wheaton, IL Typical Net Price $19,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $82,000 % Savings 76% Undergraduates 2,119 Est. Median SAT 1,351 Acceptance Rate 90.0 %
15	Greenville University	20100	43900	0.543	986	1023	0.9766	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Greenville University Greenville, IL Typical Net Price $20,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,900 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 986 Est. Median SAT 1,023 Acceptance Rate 97.7 %
16	Western Illinois University	20800	31000	0.3308	5,025	990	0.7496	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Western Illinois University Macomb, IL Typical Net Price $20,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,000 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 5,025 Est. Median SAT 990 Acceptance Rate 75.0 %
17	Olivet Nazarene University	21200	88800	0.7615	2,704	1104	0.5586	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL Typical Net Price $21,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $88,800 % Savings 76% Undergraduates 2,704 Est. Median SAT 1,104 Acceptance Rate 55.9 %
17	University of St Francis	21200	56000	0.6211	1,338	1030	0.653	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of St Francis Joliet, IL Typical Net Price $21,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,000 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 1,338 Est. Median SAT 1,030 Acceptance Rate 65.3 %
19	Blackburn College	21800	41800	0.4784	389	1020	0.8014	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Blackburn College Carlinville, IL Typical Net Price $21,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,800 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 389 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 80.1 %
20	Trinity Christian College	21900	40500	0.4593	827	1065	0.8865	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL Typical Net Price $21,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,500 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 827 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 88.7 %
21	Trinity International University-Illinois	22000	22500	0.0226	140	1100	0.9318	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trinity International University-Illinois Deerfield, IL Typical Net Price $22,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $22,500 % Savings 2% Undergraduates 140 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 93.2 %
22	Lake Forest College	22100	76700	0.7115	1,814	1323	0.5681	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL Typical Net Price $22,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $76,700 % Savings 71% Undergraduates 1,814 Est. Median SAT 1,323 Acceptance Rate 56.8 %
23	Aurora University	22200	42100	0.4727	4,107	1045	0.8085	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Aurora University Aurora, IL Typical Net Price $22,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,100 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 4,107 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 80.9 %
23	Bradley University	22200	48300	0.5396	3,596	1174	0.7675	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bradley University Peoria, IL Typical Net Price $22,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,300 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 3,596 Est. Median SAT 1,174 Acceptance Rate 76.8 %
25	Concordia University-Chicago	22400	46400	0.5168	1,327	1100	0.9279	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Concordia University-Chicago River Forest, IL Typical Net Price $22,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,400 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 1,327 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 92.8 %
26	Lewis University	22600	57000	0.6037	4,326	1099	0.7128	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lewis University Romeoville, IL Typical Net Price $22,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,000 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 4,326 Est. Median SAT 1,099 Acceptance Rate 71.3 %
27	University of Illinois Chicago	22700	30300	0.2506	22,495	1252	0.7735	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $22,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,300 % Savings 25% Undergraduates 22,495 Est. Median SAT 1,252 Acceptance Rate 77.4 %
28	North Park University	22900	52900	0.5672	1,876	1110	0.7284	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Park University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $22,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,900 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 1,876 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 72.8 %
29	Monmouth College	23200	61400	0.6225	727	1150	0.866	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Monmouth College Monmouth, IL Typical Net Price $23,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $61,400 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 727 Est. Median SAT 1,150 Acceptance Rate 86.6 %
30	Illinois Institute of Technology	23900	71600	0.6664	3,135	1299	0.5493	#30 #30 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 %
31	Dominican University	24000	56000	0.5708	2,690	1035	0.9032	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Dominican University River Forest, IL Typical Net Price $24,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,000 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 2,690 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 90.3 %
32	Judson University	24200	49100	0.5076	793	1049	0.624	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Judson University Elgin, IL Typical Net Price $24,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,100 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 793 Est. Median SAT 1,049 Acceptance Rate 62.4 %
33	North Central College	24300	62500	0.6112	2,454	1203	0.7733	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Central College Naperville, IL Typical Net Price $24,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $62,500 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 2,454 Est. Median SAT 1,203 Acceptance Rate 77.3 %
34	Augustana College	24800	72800	0.6594	2,522	1163	0.6277	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Augustana College Rock Island, IL Typical Net Price $24,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $72,800 % Savings 66% Undergraduates 2,522 Est. Median SAT 1,163 Acceptance Rate 62.8 %
34	Elmhurst University	24800	67000	0.6301	3,170	1148	0.7357	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL Typical Net Price $24,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,000 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 3,170 Est. Median SAT 1,148 Acceptance Rate 73.6 %
36	Rockford University	24900	59000	0.5771	968	1045	0.5704	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Rockford University Rockford, IL Typical Net Price $24,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $59,000 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 968 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 57.0 %
37	Illinois State University	25000	35200	0.2914	19,107	1115	0.8815	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois State University Normal, IL Typical Net Price $25,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,200 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 19,107 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 88.2 %
38	Benedictine University	26500	48900	0.4581	1,972	1150	0.9523	#38 #38 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 1,150 Acceptance Rate 95.2 %
39	Eureka College	26600	42400	0.3716	527	1020	0.85	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Eureka College Eureka, IL Typical Net Price $26,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,400 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 527 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 85.0 %
40	Columbia College Chicago	26800	60600	0.5582	5,422	0	0.7549	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $26,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $60,600 % Savings 56% Undergraduates 5,422 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 75.5 %
41	Roosevelt University	28500	47600	0.401	2,605	1015	0.9427	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Roosevelt University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $28,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $47,600 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 2,605 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 94.3 %
42	Knox College	28900	61000	0.5269	1,136	1287	0.7079	#42 #42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Knox College Galesburg, IL Typical Net Price $28,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $61,000 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 1,136 Est. Median SAT 1,287 Acceptance Rate 70.8 %
43	Illinois Wesleyan University	30000	73200	0.5897	1,582	1256	0.3931	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL Typical Net Price $30,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $73,200 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 1,582 Est. Median SAT 1,256 Acceptance Rate 39.3 %
44	Saint Xavier University	30300	51200	0.4067	3,039	1125	0.8575	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $30,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,200 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 3,039 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 85.8 %
45	Chicago State University	30900	37600	0.1781	1,495	885	0.4052	#45 #45 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 1,495 Est. Median SAT 885 Acceptance Rate 40.5 %
46	McKendree University	31900	52200	0.3882	1,605	1098	0.6388	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings McKendree University Lebanon, IL Typical Net Price $31,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,200 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 1,605 Est. Median SAT 1,098 Acceptance Rate 63.9 %
47	DePaul University	34900	56200	0.3791	14,188	1218	0.7589	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings DePaul University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $34,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,200 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 14,188 Est. Median SAT 1,218 Acceptance Rate 75.9 %
48	Loyola University Chicago	37500	67600	0.4455	12,538	1303	0.816	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $37,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,600 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 12,538 Est. Median SAT 1,303 Acceptance Rate 81.6 %
49	School of the Art Institute of Chicago	57600	81700	0.295	2,762	1160	0.7642	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $57,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $81,700 % Savings 30% Undergraduates 2,762 Est. Median SAT 1,160 Acceptance Rate 76.4 %