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	4900	40900	0.881	197	1090	0.92	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Hebrew Theological College Skokie, IL Typical Net Price $4,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,900 % Savings 88% Undergraduates 197 Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 92.0 %
2	Principia College	5000	52200	0.9038	339	1155	0.4299	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Principia College Elsah, IL Typical Net Price $5,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,200 % Savings 90% Undergraduates 339 Est. Median SAT 1,155 Acceptance Rate 43.0 %
3	University of Chicago	5500	87200	0.9369	7,519	1535	0.0448	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $5,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $87,200 % Savings 94% Undergraduates 7,519 Est. Median SAT 1,535 Acceptance Rate 4.5 %
4	Millikin University	9200	43400	0.7886	1,496	1020	0.6668	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Millikin University Decatur, IL Typical Net Price $9,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,400 % Savings 79% Undergraduates 1,496 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 66.7 %
5	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	10100	34400	0.7055	36,970	1442	0.4237	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Typical Net Price $10,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,400 % Savings 71% Undergraduates 36,970 Est. Median SAT 1,442 Acceptance Rate 42.4 %
6	Northern Illinois University	11900	29000	0.5885	11,339	1070	0.6979	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Typical Net Price $11,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,000 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 11,339 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 69.8 %
7	Northwestern University	12300	87700	0.8598	8,839	1513	0.0722	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northwestern University Evanston, IL Typical Net Price $12,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $87,700 % Savings 86% Undergraduates 8,839 Est. Median SAT 1,513 Acceptance Rate 7.2 %
8	Eastern Illinois University	12500	24500	0.4887	6,785	1020	0.6535	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Typical Net Price $12,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,500 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 6,785 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 65.4 %
9	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville	13700	41100	0.6673	8,975	1045	0.9721	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Typical Net Price $13,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,100 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 8,975 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 97.2 %
10	University of Illinois Springfield	13900	29800	0.5338	2,342	1140	0.8437	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL Typical Net Price $13,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,800 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 2,342 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 84.4 %
11	Governors State University	14000	35200	0.603	2,572	774	0.4827	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Governors State University University Park, IL Typical Net Price $14,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,200 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 2,572 Est. Median SAT 774 Acceptance Rate 48.3 %
12	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	14200	28100	0.4946	8,526	1054	0.8688	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Typical Net Price $14,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 8,526 Est. Median SAT 1,054 Acceptance Rate 86.9 %
13	Illinois State University	16800	29300	0.4269	19,107	1115	0.8815	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois State University Normal, IL Typical Net Price $16,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,300 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 19,107 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 88.2 %
14	Quincy University	18100	63000	0.7131	1,069	1115	0.5093	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Quincy University Quincy, IL Typical Net Price $18,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $63,000 % Savings 71% Undergraduates 1,069 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 50.9 %
15	Illinois College	18400	52300	0.6472	940	1054	0.7819	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois College Jacksonville, IL Typical Net Price $18,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,300 % Savings 65% Undergraduates 940 Est. Median SAT 1,054 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
16	Greenville University	20100	43900	0.543	986	1023	0.9766	#16 #16 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	20100	31000	0.3509	5,025	990	0.7496	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Western Illinois University Macomb, IL Typical Net Price $20,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,000 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 5,025 Est. Median SAT 990 Acceptance Rate 75.0 %
18	University of St Francis	20500	56000	0.6337	1,338	1030	0.653	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of St Francis Joliet, IL Typical Net Price $20,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,000 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 1,338 Est. Median SAT 1,030 Acceptance Rate 65.3 %
19	Olivet Nazarene University	20700	88800	0.7674	2,704	1104	0.5586	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL Typical Net Price $20,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $88,800 % Savings 77% Undergraduates 2,704 Est. Median SAT 1,104 Acceptance Rate 55.9 %
20	Wheaton College	20800	82000	0.7462	2,119	1351	0.8998	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wheaton College Wheaton, IL Typical Net Price $20,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $82,000 % Savings 75% Undergraduates 2,119 Est. Median SAT 1,351 Acceptance Rate 90.0 %
21	Blackburn College	21300	41800	0.4904	389	1020	0.8014	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Blackburn College Carlinville, IL Typical Net Price $21,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,800 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 389 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 80.1 %
22	Aurora University	21500	42100	0.4894	4,088	1045	0.8085	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Aurora University Aurora, IL Typical Net Price $21,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,100 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 4,088 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 80.9 %
22	Bradley University	21500	48300	0.5541	3,596	1174	0.7675	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bradley University Peoria, IL Typical Net Price $21,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,300 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 3,596 Est. Median SAT 1,174 Acceptance Rate 76.8 %
22	Trinity Christian College	21500	40500	0.4694	827	1065	0.8865	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL Typical Net Price $21,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,500 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 827 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 88.7 %
25	Concordia University-Chicago	22000	46400	0.5254	1,327	1100	0.9279	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Concordia University-Chicago River Forest, IL Typical Net Price $22,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,400 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 1,327 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 92.8 %
25	Lewis University	22000	57000	0.6142	4,326	1099	0.7128	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lewis University Romeoville, IL Typical Net Price $22,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,000 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 4,326 Est. Median SAT 1,099 Acceptance Rate 71.3 %
25	Trinity International University-Illinois	22000	22500	0.0226	140	1100	0.9318	#25 #25 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 %
28	University of Illinois Chicago	22400	30300	0.2605	22,495	1252	0.7735	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $22,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,300 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 22,495 Est. Median SAT 1,252 Acceptance Rate 77.4 %
29	Monmouth College	22800	61400	0.6295	727	1150	0.866	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Monmouth College Monmouth, IL Typical Net Price $22,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $61,400 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 727 Est. Median SAT 1,150 Acceptance Rate 86.6 %
29	North Park University	22800	52900	0.5691	1,876	1110	0.7284	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Park University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $22,800 • 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 %
31	Illinois Institute of Technology	23200	71600	0.6762	3,105	1299	0.5493	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $23,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $71,600 % Savings 68% Undergraduates 3,105 Est. Median SAT 1,299 Acceptance Rate 54.9 %
32	North Central College	23700	62500	0.6208	2,454	1203	0.7733	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Central College Naperville, IL Typical Net Price $23,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $62,500 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 2,454 Est. Median SAT 1,203 Acceptance Rate 77.3 %
33	Judson University	23800	49100	0.5157	793	1049	0.624	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Judson University Elgin, IL Typical Net Price $23,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,100 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 793 Est. Median SAT 1,049 Acceptance Rate 62.4 %
34	McKendree University	24200	55600	0.5653	1,605	1098	0.6388	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings McKendree University Lebanon, IL Typical Net Price $24,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,600 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 1,605 Est. Median SAT 1,098 Acceptance Rate 63.9 %
35	Augustana College	24300	72800	0.6655	2,520	1163	0.6277	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Augustana College Rock Island, IL Typical Net Price $24,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $72,800 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 2,520 Est. Median SAT 1,163 Acceptance Rate 62.8 %
35	Elmhurst University	24300	67000	0.6376	3,170	1148	0.7357	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL Typical Net Price $24,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,000 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 3,170 Est. Median SAT 1,148 Acceptance Rate 73.6 %
37	Dominican University	24400	55500	0.5604	2,570	1035	0.9032	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Dominican University River Forest, IL Typical Net Price $24,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,500 % Savings 56% Undergraduates 2,570 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 90.3 %
37	Rockford University	24400	59000	0.5856	968	1045	0.5704	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Rockford University Rockford, IL Typical Net Price $24,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $59,000 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 968 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 57.0 %
39	Lake Forest College	25200	76700	0.6712	1,813	1323	0.5681	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL Typical Net Price $25,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $76,700 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 1,813 Est. Median SAT 1,323 Acceptance Rate 56.8 %
40	Roosevelt University	25900	43300	0.4025	2,605	1015	0.9427	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Roosevelt University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $25,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,300 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 2,605 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 94.3 %
41	Eureka College	26400	42400	0.3763	527	1020	0.85	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Eureka College Eureka, IL Typical Net Price $26,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,400 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 527 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 85.0 %
42	Benedictine University	26500	48900	0.4581	1,970	1150	0.9523	#42 #42 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 1,970 Est. Median SAT 1,150 Acceptance Rate 95.2 %
43	Chicago State University	27300	37600	0.2745	1,495	885	0.4052	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Chicago State University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $27,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,600 % Savings 27% Undergraduates 1,495 Est. Median SAT 885 Acceptance Rate 40.5 %
44	Knox College	28200	61000	0.5384	1,134	1287	0.7079	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Knox College Galesburg, IL Typical Net Price $28,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $61,000 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 1,134 Est. Median SAT 1,287 Acceptance Rate 70.8 %
45	Illinois Wesleyan University	29600	73200	0.5952	1,568	1256	0.3931	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL Typical Net Price $29,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $73,200 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 1,568 Est. Median SAT 1,256 Acceptance Rate 39.3 %
46	Saint Xavier University	29800	51200	0.4165	3,039	1125	0.8575	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $29,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,200 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 3,039 Est. Median SAT 1,125 Acceptance Rate 85.8 %
47	Columbia College Chicago	30000	60600	0.5053	5,417	0	0.7549	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $30,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $60,600 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 5,417 Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate 75.5 %
48	DePaul University	34600	56200	0.3845	14,188	1218	0.7589	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings DePaul University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $34,600 • 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 %
49	Loyola University Chicago	39800	67600	0.4114	12,529	1303	0.816	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $39,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,600 % Savings 41% Undergraduates 12,529 Est. Median SAT 1,303 Acceptance Rate 81.6 %
50	School of the Art Institute of Chicago	57000	81700	0.3027	2,762	1160	0.7642	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $57,000 • 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 %