Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of Illinois

Most Affordable History and Philosophy of Science and Technology 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	Hillsdale College	3700	53900	0.9314	1,649	1412	0.2072	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MI Typical Net Price $3,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $53,900 % Savings 93% Undergraduates 1,649 Est. Median SAT 1,412 Acceptance Rate 20.7 %
1	The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary	3700	28400	0.8693	1,004	1090	0.9689	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KY Typical Net Price $3,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,400 % Savings 87% Undergraduates 1,004 Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 96.9 %
3	University of Chicago	4000	87200	0.9541	7,519	1535	0.0448	#3 #3 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 %
4	Johns Hopkins University	4400	88600	0.9502	6,356	1543	0.0644	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Typical Net Price $4,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $88,600 % Savings 95% Undergraduates 6,356 Est. Median SAT 1,543 Acceptance Rate 6.4 %
5	University of Pennsylvania	5700	93000	0.9389	10,013	1528	0.054	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Typical Net Price $5,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $93,000 % Savings 94% Undergraduates 10,013 Est. Median SAT 1,528 Acceptance Rate 5.4 %
6	Harvard University	5900	90900	0.9353	7,038	1535	0.0365	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Harvard University Cambridge, MA Typical Net Price $5,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $90,900 % Savings 94% Undergraduates 7,038 Est. Median SAT 1,535 Acceptance Rate 3.7 %
7	Columbia University in the City of New York	6500	94100	0.9312	9,157	1535	0.0386	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Typical Net Price $6,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $94,100 % Savings 93% Undergraduates 9,157 Est. Median SAT 1,535 Acceptance Rate 3.9 %
8	Truman State University	7300	26200	0.7224	3,265	1302	0.8377	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Truman State University Kirksville, MO Typical Net Price $7,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,200 % Savings 72% Undergraduates 3,265 Est. Median SAT 1,302 Acceptance Rate 83.8 %
9	University of Notre Dame	10000	86100	0.8838	8,880	1499	0.1127	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Typical Net Price $10,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $86,100 % Savings 88% Undergraduates 8,880 Est. Median SAT 1,499 Acceptance Rate 11.3 %
10	Valdosta State University	10500	24800	0.5776	7,206	1015	0.7214	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA Typical Net Price $10,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,800 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 7,206 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 72.1 %
11	New York University	12000	91800	0.869	29,060	1520	0.0923	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings New York University New York, NY Typical Net Price $12,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $91,800 % Savings 87% Undergraduates 29,060 Est. Median SAT 1,520 Acceptance Rate 9.2 %
12	Northern Illinois University	12300	29000	0.5744	11,349	1070	0.6979	#12 #12 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 %
13	William Jewell College	12700	46900	0.7295	969	1110	0.3836	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings William Jewell College Liberty, MO Typical Net Price $12,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,900 % Savings 73% Undergraduates 969 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 38.4 %
14	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	14000	26900	0.4792	957	1105	0.5871	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Typical Net Price $14,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,900 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 957 Est. Median SAT 1,105 Acceptance Rate 58.7 %
15	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville	14500	41100	0.6478	8,975	1045	0.9721	#15 #15 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 %
16	Philander Smith University	14800	35100	0.5779	848	905	1	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Philander Smith University Little Rock, AR Typical Net Price $14,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,100 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 848 Est. Median SAT 905 Acceptance Rate 100.0 %
16	Stanford University	14800	71300	0.792	7,904	1535	0.0361	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Stanford University Stanford, CA Typical Net Price $14,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $71,300 % Savings 79% Undergraduates 7,904 Est. Median SAT 1,535 Acceptance Rate 3.6 %
18	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	15400	28100	0.452	8,553	1054	0.8688	#18 #18 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 %
19	James Madison University	15600	28600	0.4538	21,112	1260	0.7151	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Typical Net Price $15,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,600 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 21,112 Est. Median SAT 1,260 Acceptance Rate 71.5 %
20	University of North Carolina at Pembroke	15900	23600	0.3268	5,437	990	0.9335	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC Typical Net Price $15,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,600 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 5,437 Est. Median SAT 990 Acceptance Rate 93.4 %
21	Wesleyan College	17500	54800	0.6801	595	1135	0.6207	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wesleyan College Macon, GA Typical Net Price $17,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,800 % Savings 68% Undergraduates 595 Est. Median SAT 1,135 Acceptance Rate 62.1 %
22	Quincy University	18500	63000	0.7067	1,072	1115	0.5093	#22 #22 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 %
23	Piedmont University	20200	47200	0.572	1,159	1130	0.9328	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Piedmont University Demorest, GA Typical Net Price $20,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $47,200 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 1,159 Est. Median SAT 1,130 Acceptance Rate 93.3 %
24	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion	20400	49400	0.5866	2,079	1135	0.8221	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN Typical Net Price $20,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,400 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 2,079 Est. Median SAT 1,135 Acceptance Rate 82.2 %
25	University of Mary Washington	21300	45500	0.5309	3,660	1283	0.7978	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA Typical Net Price $21,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,500 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 3,660 Est. Median SAT 1,283 Acceptance Rate 79.8 %
26	Nebraska Wesleyan University	22200	56400	0.6068	1,463	1195	0.7982	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NE Typical Net Price $22,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,400 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 1,463 Est. Median SAT 1,195 Acceptance Rate 79.8 %
27	Maharishi International University	22600	30300	0.2538	777	1089	0.969	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Maharishi International University Fairfield, IA Typical Net Price $22,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,300 % Savings 25% Undergraduates 777 Est. Median SAT 1,089 Acceptance Rate 96.9 %
28	Berry College	23100	60800	0.6199	2,254	1219	0.64	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Berry College Mount Berry, GA Typical Net Price $23,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $60,800 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 2,254 Est. Median SAT 1,219 Acceptance Rate 64.0 %
29	Muskingum University	24600	51400	0.5215	1,524	1020	0.8184	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Muskingum University New Concord, OH Typical Net Price $24,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,400 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 1,524 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 81.8 %
30	Roberts Wesleyan University	24700	60000	0.5885	1,045	1166	0.7058	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, NY Typical Net Price $24,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $60,000 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 1,045 Est. Median SAT 1,166 Acceptance Rate 70.6 %
31	Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences	24900	46200	0.4606	1,041	1040	0.5686	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fayette, MO Typical Net Price $24,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,200 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 1,041 Est. Median SAT 1,040 Acceptance Rate 56.9 %
32	Arizona State University Campus Immersion	25000	36600	0.3173	65,450	1203	0.8989	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Typical Net Price $25,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,600 % Savings 32% Undergraduates 65,450 Est. Median SAT 1,203 Acceptance Rate 89.9 %
33	Flagler College	25100	37800	0.3362	2,409	785	0.8076	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Flagler College Saint Augustine, FL Typical Net Price $25,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,800 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 2,409 Est. Median SAT 785 Acceptance Rate 80.8 %
34	Otterbein University	25900	66300	0.6094	2,211	1114	0.8452	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Otterbein University Westerville, OH Typical Net Price $25,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $66,300 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 2,211 Est. Median SAT 1,114 Acceptance Rate 84.5 %
35	Wingate University	26800	65000	0.5879	2,673	1100	0.9113	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wingate University Wingate, NC Typical Net Price $26,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,000 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 2,673 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 91.1 %
36	Southwestern College	26900	69700	0.6143	938	1005	0.7443	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southwestern College Winfield, KS Typical Net Price $26,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $69,700 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 938 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 74.4 %
37	Central Washington University	27600	27800	0.0072	10,033	1060	0.9061	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA Typical Net Price $27,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,800 % Savings 1% Undergraduates 10,033 Est. Median SAT 1,060 Acceptance Rate 90.6 %
38	Radford University	28800	32800	0.122	6,161	1070	0.8953	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Radford University Radford, VA Typical Net Price $28,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,800 % Savings 12% Undergraduates 6,161 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 89.5 %
39	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	29900	31100	0.0385	20,592	1435	0.1407	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA Typical Net Price $29,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,100 % Savings 4% Undergraduates 20,592 Est. Median SAT 1,435 Acceptance Rate 14.1 %
40	Belmont University	30200	67800	0.554	7,167	1273	0.9528	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Belmont University Nashville, TN Typical Net Price $30,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,800 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 7,167 Est. Median SAT 1,273 Acceptance Rate 95.3 %
41	San Francisco State University	31200	45200	0.3099	20,756	1035	0.9615	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Typical Net Price $31,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,200 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 20,756 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 96.2 %
42	Columbia International University	31600	44800	0.2948	721	1079	0.9461	#42 #42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Columbia International University Columbia, SC Typical Net Price $31,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,800 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 721 Est. Median SAT 1,079 Acceptance Rate 94.6 %
43	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	32600	38500	0.1533	7,890	1105	0.2056	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL Typical Net Price $32,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,500 % Savings 15% Undergraduates 7,890 Est. Median SAT 1,105 Acceptance Rate 20.6 %
44	Ithaca College	33600	72500	0.5365	4,268	1314	0.6901	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Ithaca College Ithaca, NY Typical Net Price $33,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $72,500 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 4,268 Est. Median SAT 1,314 Acceptance Rate 69.0 %
44	Stockton University	33600	44500	0.2451	7,565	1135	0.8894	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Stockton University Galloway, NJ Typical Net Price $33,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,500 % Savings 25% Undergraduates 7,565 Est. Median SAT 1,135 Acceptance Rate 88.9 %
46	Winthrop University	33800	52500	0.3569	3,969	1130	0.7925	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC Typical Net Price $33,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,500 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 3,969 Est. Median SAT 1,130 Acceptance Rate 79.3 %
47	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga	34400	34500	0.0029	9,982	1125	0.7702	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Typical Net Price $34,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,500 % Savings 0% Undergraduates 9,982 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 77.0 %
48	Albertus Magnus College	36700	71100	0.4839	892	995	0.6437	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Albertus Magnus College New Haven, CT Typical Net Price $36,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $71,100 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 892 Est. Median SAT 995 Acceptance Rate 64.4 %
49	SUNY Old Westbury	37400	44100	0.1519	4,260	1110	0.8352	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY Typical Net Price $37,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,100 % Savings 15% Undergraduates 4,260 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 83.5 %
50	The University of Montana	39400	43700	0.0984	8,014	1184	0.9586	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings The University of Montana Missoula, MT Typical Net Price $39,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,700 % Savings 10% Undergraduates 8,014 Est. Median SAT 1,184 Acceptance Rate 95.9 %
51	Pace University	39700	74100	0.464	8,038	1274	0.7592	#51 #51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pace University New York, NY Typical Net Price $39,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $74,100 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 8,038 Est. Median SAT 1,274 Acceptance Rate 75.9 %
52	University of North Carolina Wilmington	40000	40000	0	15,254	1270	0.6424	#52 #52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC Typical Net Price $40,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,000 % Savings -- Undergraduates 15,254 Est. Median SAT 1,270 Acceptance Rate 64.2 %
53	Concordia University-Wisconsin	41300	53900	0.2337	2,401	1209	0.7819	#53 #53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, WI Typical Net Price $41,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $53,900 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 2,401 Est. Median SAT 1,209 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
54	Saint Vincent College	41400	64600	0.3593	1,284	0	0.6173	#54 #54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Saint Vincent College Latrobe, PA Typical Net Price $41,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,600 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 1,284 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 61.7 %
55	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	42500	54900	0.2261	20,418	1375	0.5808	#55 #55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Typical Net Price $42,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,900 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 20,418 Est. Median SAT 1,375 Acceptance Rate 58.1 %
56	Butler University	43300	64500	0.3286	4,489	1279	0.8508	#56 #56 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Butler University Indianapolis, IN Typical Net Price $43,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,500 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 4,489 Est. Median SAT 1,279 Acceptance Rate 85.1 %
57	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus	43800	57100	0.2315	23,351	1239	0.766	#57 #57 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Typical Net Price $43,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,100 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 23,351 Est. Median SAT 1,239 Acceptance Rate 76.6 %
58	University of Utah	51500	53700	0.0411	28,064	1237	0.8598	#58 #58 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Typical Net Price $51,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $53,700 % Savings 4% Undergraduates 28,064 Est. Median SAT 1,237 Acceptance Rate 86.0 %
59	University of La Verne	62100	66500	0.0662	2,414	1123	0.4847	#59 #59 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of La Verne La Verne, CA Typical Net Price $62,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $66,500 % Savings 7% Undergraduates 2,414 Est. Median SAT 1,123 Acceptance Rate 48.5 %