Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of Illinois

Most Affordable History and Philosophy of Science and Technology Colleges in Illinois for 2027

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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 Johns Hopkins University 2700 91800 0.9709 6,354 1554 0.0611
#1

#1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Sticker Price

$91,800

% Savings

97%

Undergraduates

6,354

Est. Median SAT

1,554

Acceptance Rate

6.1 %

2 University of Chicago 4000 94800 0.9576 7,519 1535 0.0456
#2

#2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Sticker Price

$94,800

% Savings

96%

Undergraduates

7,519

Est. Median SAT

1,535

Acceptance Rate

4.6 %

3 University of Pennsylvania 4400 93100 0.9532 9,989 1535 0.0492
#3

#3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Sticker Price

$93,100

% Savings

95%

Undergraduates

9,989

Est. Median SAT

1,535

Acceptance Rate

4.9 %

4 Harvard University 5900 95600 0.9384 6,738 1500 0.0418
#4

#4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Sticker Price

$95,600

% Savings

94%

Undergraduates

6,738

Est. Median SAT

1,500

Acceptance Rate

4.2 %

5 University of Notre Dame 7900 86900 0.9096 8,950 1497 0.0938
#5

#5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

Sticker Price

$86,900

% Savings

91%

Undergraduates

8,950

Est. Median SAT

1,497

Acceptance Rate

9.4 %

6 Columbia University in the City of New York 8900 96500 0.9082 9,164 1535 0.0386
#6

#6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY

Sticker Price

$96,500

% Savings

91%

Undergraduates

9,164

Est. Median SAT

1,535

Acceptance Rate

3.9 %

7 Colgate University 9200 95800 0.9039 3,193 1488 0.1388
#7

#7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Sticker Price

$95,800

% Savings

90%

Undergraduates

3,193

Est. Median SAT

1,488

Acceptance Rate

13.9 %

8 Truman State University 11500 30400 0.6227 3,506 1340 0.8515
#8

#8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Sticker Price

$30,400

% Savings

62%

Undergraduates

3,506

Est. Median SAT

1,340

Acceptance Rate

85.2 %

8 Valdosta State University 11500 25300 0.5447 7,199 1005 0.7769
#8

#8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Sticker Price

$25,300

% Savings

54%

Undergraduates

7,199

Est. Median SAT

1,005

Acceptance Rate

77.7 %

10 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale 12500 28100 0.5551 8,421 1054 0.9444
#10

#10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Sticker Price

$28,100

% Savings

56%

Undergraduates

8,421

Est. Median SAT

1,054

Acceptance Rate

94.4 %

11 San Francisco State University 13200 47700 0.7235 19,444 1035 0.9644
#11

#11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Sticker Price

$47,700

% Savings

72%

Undergraduates

19,444

Est. Median SAT

1,035

Acceptance Rate

96.4 %

12 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 13600 38400 0.6464 8,945 1099 0.975
#12

#12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Sticker Price

$38,400

% Savings

65%

Undergraduates

8,945

Est. Median SAT

1,099

Acceptance Rate

97.5 %

13 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga 14000 25600 0.4523 10,396 1125 0.7162
#13

#13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

Sticker Price

$25,600

% Savings

45%

Undergraduates

10,396

Est. Median SAT

1,125

Acceptance Rate

71.6 %

13 Wesleyan College 14000 43800 0.6802 500 1065 0.591
#13

#13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Wesleyan College
Macon, GA

Sticker Price

$43,800

% Savings

68%

Undergraduates

500

Est. Median SAT

1,065

Acceptance Rate

59.1 %

15 Northern Illinois University 14300 28100 0.4927 12,118 1070 0.7164
#15

#15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Sticker Price

$28,100

% Savings

49%

Undergraduates

12,118

Est. Median SAT

1,070

Acceptance Rate

71.6 %

16 Case Western Reserve University 14600 92100 0.8412 6,657 1484 0.3778
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Sticker Price

$92,100

% Savings

84%

Undergraduates

6,657

Est. Median SAT

1,484

Acceptance Rate

37.8 %

16 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 14600 25600 0.4302 957 1130 0.5871
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, NC

Sticker Price

$25,600

% Savings

43%

Undergraduates

957

Est. Median SAT

1,130

Acceptance Rate

58.7 %

18 Stanford University 15200 1865100 0.9919 7,346 1542 0.038
#18

#18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Sticker Price

$1,865,100

% Savings

99%

Undergraduates

7,346

Est. Median SAT

1,542

Acceptance Rate

3.8 %

19 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 15800 24200 0.3478 7,637 1115 0.1865
#19

#19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL

Sticker Price

$24,200

% Savings

35%

Undergraduates

7,637

Est. Median SAT

1,115

Acceptance Rate

18.7 %

20 Maharishi International University 16900 32800 0.4848 925 1089 0.957
#20

#20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Maharishi International University
Fairfield, IA

Sticker Price

$32,800

% Savings

48%

Undergraduates

925

Est. Median SAT

1,089

Acceptance Rate

95.7 %

21 Eureka College 17100 44800 0.6189 527 1020 0.85
#21

#21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Eureka College
Eureka, IL

Sticker Price

$44,800

% Savings

62%

Undergraduates

527

Est. Median SAT

1,020

Acceptance Rate

85.0 %

22 Quincy University 18900 57900 0.6733 1,096 1115 0.551
#22

#22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Sticker Price

$57,900

% Savings

67%

Undergraduates

1,096

Est. Median SAT

1,115

Acceptance Rate

55.1 %

23 Nebraska Wesleyan University 19500 57500 0.6619 1,391 1200 0.7243
#23

#23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln, NE

Sticker Price

$57,500

% Savings

66%

Undergraduates

1,391

Est. Median SAT

1,200

Acceptance Rate

72.4 %

24 Arizona State University Campus Immersion 20300 43700 0.5355 8,513 1160 0.9261
#24

#24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ

Sticker Price

$43,700

% Savings

54%

Undergraduates

8,513

Est. Median SAT

1,160

Acceptance Rate

92.6 %

25 Rocky Mountain College 21500 67200 0.6802 779 1055 0.7775
#25

#25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Rocky Mountain College
Billings, MT

Sticker Price

$67,200

% Savings

68%

Undergraduates

779

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

77.8 %

26 Sterling College 22200 77400 0.7129 649 1103 0.8759
#26

#26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Sterling College
Sterling, KS

Sticker Price

$77,400

% Savings

71%

Undergraduates

649

Est. Median SAT

1,103

Acceptance Rate

87.6 %

27 Hastings College 22600 53300 0.5757 936 1116 0.654
#27

#27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Sticker Price

$53,300

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

936

Est. Median SAT

1,116

Acceptance Rate

65.4 %

28 Stockton University 24100 32100 0.2491 7,583 1134 0.901
#28

#28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Stockton University
Galloway, NJ

Sticker Price

$32,100

% Savings

25%

Undergraduates

7,583

Est. Median SAT

1,134

Acceptance Rate

90.1 %

29 Westminster College 24600 53800 0.5432 641 1100 0.7915
#29

#29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Westminster College
Fulton, MO

Sticker Price

$53,800

% Savings

54%

Undergraduates

641

Est. Median SAT

1,100

Acceptance Rate

79.2 %

30 Millsaps College 26000 91200 0.715 547 1189 0.4312
#30

#30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Millsaps College
Jackson, MS

Sticker Price

$91,200

% Savings

72%

Undergraduates

547

Est. Median SAT

1,189

Acceptance Rate

43.1 %

31 Saint Augustine's University 26600 33800 0.2127 173 840 0.3465
#31

#31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Saint Augustine's University
Raleigh, NC

Sticker Price

$33,800

% Savings

21%

Undergraduates

173

Est. Median SAT

840

Acceptance Rate

34.7 %

32 Wingate University 26700 65000 0.5892 2,673 1100 0.9113
#32

#32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Sticker Price

$65,000

% Savings

59%

Undergraduates

2,673

Est. Median SAT

1,100

Acceptance Rate

91.1 %

33 University of Jamestown 27400 34400 0.2035 1,097 1055 0.88
#33

#33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Jamestown
Jamestown, ND

Sticker Price

$34,400

% Savings

20%

Undergraduates

1,097

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

88.0 %

33 Wilmington College 27400 48200 0.4313 1,006 1020 0.924
#33

#33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH

Sticker Price

$48,200

% Savings

43%

Undergraduates

1,006

Est. Median SAT

1,020

Acceptance Rate

92.4 %

35 LaGrange College 27600 54600 0.4951 718 1075 0.8722
#35

#35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

LaGrange College
Lagrange, GA

Sticker Price

$54,600

% Savings

50%

Undergraduates

718

Est. Median SAT

1,075

Acceptance Rate

87.2 %

36 Central Washington University 27700 27900 0.0072 10,033 1060 0.9061
#36

#36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Sticker Price

$27,900

% Savings

1%

Undergraduates

10,033

Est. Median SAT

1,060

Acceptance Rate

90.6 %

37 Flagler College 28700 60700 0.5271 2,359 1175 0.787
#37

#37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Flagler College
Saint Augustine, FL

Sticker Price

$60,700

% Savings

53%

Undergraduates

2,359

Est. Median SAT

1,175

Acceptance Rate

78.7 %

38 Drury University 28800 68900 0.5824 1,453 1209 0.6575
#38

#38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Drury University
Springfield, MO

Sticker Price

$68,900

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

1,453

Est. Median SAT

1,209

Acceptance Rate

65.8 %

39 New York University 29000 92100 0.6851 29,471 1520 0.0906
#39

#39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

New York University
New York, NY

Sticker Price

$92,100

% Savings

69%

Undergraduates

29,471

Est. Median SAT

1,520

Acceptance Rate

9.1 %

40 University of Mary Washington 29500 32500 0.0924 3,531 1279 0.7413
#40

#40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

Sticker Price

$32,500

% Savings

9%

Undergraduates

3,531

Est. Median SAT

1,279

Acceptance Rate

74.1 %

41 Southwestern College 30100 64400 0.5326 816 1000 0.4729
#41

#41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southwestern College
Winfield, KS

Sticker Price

$64,400

% Savings

53%

Undergraduates

816

Est. Median SAT

1,000

Acceptance Rate

47.3 %

42 SUNY Old Westbury 31100 40600 0.234 4,474 1110 0.8352
#42

#42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

SUNY Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Sticker Price

$40,600

% Savings

23%

Undergraduates

4,474

Est. Median SAT

1,110

Acceptance Rate

83.5 %

43 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus 31200 48800 0.361 21,028 1450 0.1334
#43

#43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Sticker Price

$48,800

% Savings

36%

Undergraduates

21,028

Est. Median SAT

1,450

Acceptance Rate

13.3 %

44 Columbia International University 31500 44800 0.2967 1,084 1079 0.9371
#44

#44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Columbia International University
Columbia, SC

Sticker Price

$44,800

% Savings

30%

Undergraduates

1,084

Est. Median SAT

1,079

Acceptance Rate

93.7 %

45 Queens University of Charlotte 33500 71300 0.5301 1,210 1244 0.805
#45

#45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

Sticker Price

$71,300

% Savings

53%

Undergraduates

1,210

Est. Median SAT

1,244

Acceptance Rate

80.5 %

46 Winthrop University 33700 52500 0.3585 4,289 1130 0.8281
#46

#46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Sticker Price

$52,500

% Savings

36%

Undergraduates

4,289

Est. Median SAT

1,130

Acceptance Rate

82.8 %

47 Berry College 34300 61400 0.4411 2,262 1219 0.7315
#47

#47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Berry College
Mount Berry, GA

Sticker Price

$61,400

% Savings

44%

Undergraduates

2,262

Est. Median SAT

1,219

Acceptance Rate

73.2 %

48 McPherson College 35300 51800 0.3188 861 1055 0.5533
#48

#48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

McPherson College
McPherson, KS

Sticker Price

$51,800

% Savings

32%

Undergraduates

861

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

55.3 %

49 Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion 36000 48500 0.2575 2,075 1090 0.8894
#49

#49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
Marion, IN

Sticker Price

$48,500

% Savings

26%

Undergraduates

2,075

Est. Median SAT

1,090

Acceptance Rate

88.9 %

50 University of North Carolina Wilmington 36100 36100 0 16,131 1275 0.6472
#50

#50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

Sticker Price

$36,100

% Savings

--

Undergraduates

16,131

Est. Median SAT

1,275

Acceptance Rate

64.7 %

51 The University of Montana 39200 75200 0.4785 8,014 1184 0.9586
#51

#51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

The University of Montana
Missoula, MT

Sticker Price

$75,200

% Savings

48%

Undergraduates

8,014

Est. Median SAT

1,184

Acceptance Rate

95.9 %

52 James Madison University 39900 45100 0.1153 21,358 1259 0.6879
#52

#52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Sticker Price

$45,100

% Savings

12%

Undergraduates

21,358

Est. Median SAT

1,259

Acceptance Rate

68.8 %

53 Pace University 40500 75500 0.4636 5,520 1273 0.7827
#53

#53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pace University
New York, NY

Sticker Price

$75,500

% Savings

46%

Undergraduates

5,520

Est. Median SAT

1,273

Acceptance Rate

78.3 %

54 St. Thomas Aquinas College 41000 64200 0.3613 2,138 1148 0.9469
#54

#54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

St. Thomas Aquinas College
Sparkill, NY

Sticker Price

$64,200

% Savings

36%

Undergraduates

2,138

Est. Median SAT

1,148

Acceptance Rate

94.7 %

55 Butler University 41400 67900 0.3904 4,418 1269 0.8209
#55

#55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Sticker Price

$67,900

% Savings

39%

Undergraduates

4,418

Est. Median SAT

1,269

Acceptance Rate

82.1 %

55 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus 41400 58900 0.2971 21,388 1369 0.5945
#55

#55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

Sticker Price

$58,900

% Savings

30%

Undergraduates

21,388

Est. Median SAT

1,369

Acceptance Rate

59.5 %

57 Radford University 43400 45700 0.0501 6,206 1050 0.8939
#57

#57 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Radford University
Radford, VA

Sticker Price

$45,700

% Savings

5%

Undergraduates

6,206

Est. Median SAT

1,050

Acceptance Rate

89.4 %

58 Union University 43800 66000 0.3375 1,856 1242 0.5857
#58

#58 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Union University
Jackson, TN

Sticker Price

$66,000

% Savings

34%

Undergraduates

1,856

Est. Median SAT

1,242

Acceptance Rate

58.6 %

59 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus 50500 58800 0.1411 25,054 1225 0.7762
#59

#59 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Norman, OK

Sticker Price

$58,800

% Savings

14%

Undergraduates

25,054

Est. Median SAT

1,225

Acceptance Rate

77.6 %

60 University of Utah 51400 53700 0.0426 29,335 1222 0.9015
#60

#60 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Sticker Price

$53,700

% Savings

4%

Undergraduates

29,335

Est. Median SAT

1,222

Acceptance Rate

90.2 %

61 University of Washington-Seattle Campus 57900 65700 0.1188 40,996 1399 0.4175
#61

#61 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Sticker Price

$65,700

% Savings

12%

Undergraduates

40,996

Est. Median SAT

1,399

Acceptance Rate

41.8 %

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

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