Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of Illinois

Most Affordable Colleges for Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric and Majors 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	Bates College	6400	92900	0.9309	1,760	1469	0.1332	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bates College Lewiston, ME Typical Net Price $6,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $92,900 % Savings 93% Undergraduates 1,760 Est. Median SAT 1,469 Acceptance Rate 13.3 %
2	University of Richmond	9400	88400	0.8938	3,055	1484	0.222	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA Typical Net Price $9,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $88,400 % Savings 89% Undergraduates 3,055 Est. Median SAT 1,484 Acceptance Rate 22.2 %
3	Mississippi Valley State University	9600	26300	0.6345	2,013	845	0.9238	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MS Typical Net Price $9,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,300 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 2,013 Est. Median SAT 845 Acceptance Rate 92.4 %
4	Northwestern Oklahoma State University	11300	21100	0.4644	1,787	980	0.6545	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OK Typical Net Price $11,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $21,100 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 1,787 Est. Median SAT 980 Acceptance Rate 65.5 %
5	Marshall University	11800	36600	0.6773	9,146	1065	0.9573	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Marshall University Huntington, WV Typical Net Price $11,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,600 % Savings 68% Undergraduates 9,146 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 95.7 %
6	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	12500	28100	0.5551	8,553	1045	0.8688	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Typical Net Price $12,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 56% Undergraduates 8,553 Est. Median SAT 1,045 Acceptance Rate 86.9 %
7	Sul Ross State University	12900	27100	0.5246	1,890	1020	0.9871	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX Typical Net Price $12,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,100 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 1,890 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 98.7 %
8	Trinity University	13500	69600	0.8064	2,518	1423	0.2592	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trinity University San Antonio, TX Typical Net Price $13,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $69,600 % Savings 81% Undergraduates 2,518 Est. Median SAT 1,423 Acceptance Rate 25.9 %
9	Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	13600	34600	0.6076	8,945	1099	0.975	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Typical Net Price $13,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,600 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 8,945 Est. Median SAT 1,099 Acceptance Rate 97.5 %
10	Northern Illinois University	14300	28800	0.5048	11,348	1070	0.6979	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Typical Net Price $14,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,800 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 11,348 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 69.8 %
11	University of Nebraska at Kearney	15000	22400	0.3299	4,213	1124	0.8949	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE Typical Net Price $15,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $22,400 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 4,213 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 89.5 %
12	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	15800	38500	0.5888	37,140	1406	0.4237	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Typical Net Price $15,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,500 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 37,140 Est. Median SAT 1,406 Acceptance Rate 42.4 %
13	Northern State University	16800	23300	0.2784	3,169	1075	0.93	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern State University Aberdeen, SD Typical Net Price $16,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,300 % Savings 28% Undergraduates 3,169 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 93.0 %
14	Ferris State University	17000	31000	0.4523	8,991	1015	0.9139	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Typical Net Price $17,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,000 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 8,991 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 91.4 %
15	Whitman College	17300	85500	0.798	1,561	1399	0.3815	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Whitman College Walla Walla, WA Typical Net Price $17,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $85,500 % Savings 80% Undergraduates 1,561 Est. Median SAT 1,399 Acceptance Rate 38.2 %
16	University of California-Berkeley	18300	43500	0.5798	33,070	1407	0.1098	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Typical Net Price $18,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,500 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 33,070 Est. Median SAT 1,407 Acceptance Rate 11.0 %
17	Youngstown State University	18400	34000	0.4589	9,400	1115	0.8445	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Typical Net Price $18,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,000 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 9,400 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 84.5 %
18	University of Mississippi	18500	45000	0.5893	21,585	1182	0.9658	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Mississippi University, MS Typical Net Price $18,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,000 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 21,585 Est. Median SAT 1,182 Acceptance Rate 96.6 %
19	Scripps College	19000	94900	0.8002	1,117	1475	0.3829	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Scripps College Claremont, CA Typical Net Price $19,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $94,900 % Savings 80% Undergraduates 1,117 Est. Median SAT 1,475 Acceptance Rate 38.3 %
20	Jackson State University	19300	28000	0.3102	4,650	950	0.9315	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Jackson State University Jackson, MS Typical Net Price $19,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,000 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 4,650 Est. Median SAT 950 Acceptance Rate 93.2 %
21	Illinois College	19700	55200	0.6438	937	1059	0.7819	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois College Jacksonville, IL Typical Net Price $19,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,200 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 937 Est. Median SAT 1,059 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
22	Bethel University	19800	54500	0.6363	1,065	1030	0.9766	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bethel University Mishawaka, IN Typical Net Price $19,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,500 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 1,065 Est. Median SAT 1,030 Acceptance Rate 97.7 %
23	Coe College	20100	76500	0.7373	1,195	1229	0.6404	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA Typical Net Price $20,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $76,500 % Savings 74% Undergraduates 1,195 Est. Median SAT 1,229 Acceptance Rate 64.0 %
24	Ohio University-Main Campus	20400	23200	0.1207	20,444	1209	0.8499	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH Typical Net Price $20,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,200 % Savings 12% Undergraduates 20,444 Est. Median SAT 1,209 Acceptance Rate 85.0 %
25	Black Hills State University	21100	24900	0.152	3,198	1075	0.9633	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD Typical Net Price $21,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,900 % Savings 15% Undergraduates 3,198 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 96.3 %
26	University of New Mexico-Main Campus	23000	27500	0.1618	17,450	1044	0.9518	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM Typical Net Price $23,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,500 % Savings 16% Undergraduates 17,450 Est. Median SAT 1,044 Acceptance Rate 95.2 %
27	East Tennessee State University	23500	30600	0.2318	10,829	1124	0.8619	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN Typical Net Price $23,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,600 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 10,829 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 86.2 %
28	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	23700	34400	0.311	14,783	1124	0.8096	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH Typical Net Price $23,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,400 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 14,783 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 81.0 %
29	Boise State University	24600	31200	0.2116	23,983	1135	0.8721	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Boise State University Boise, ID Typical Net Price $24,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,200 % Savings 21% Undergraduates 23,983 Est. Median SAT 1,135 Acceptance Rate 87.2 %
29	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	24600	40500	0.3927	25,900	1375	0.5808	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Typical Net Price $24,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,500 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 25,900 Est. Median SAT 1,375 Acceptance Rate 58.1 %
31	Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania	25600	34900	0.2668	4,371	1084	0.865	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA Typical Net Price $25,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,900 % Savings 27% Undergraduates 4,371 Est. Median SAT 1,084 Acceptance Rate 86.5 %
32	Syracuse University	27800	83100	0.6653	15,957	1363	0.4592	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Typical Net Price $27,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $83,100 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 15,957 Est. Median SAT 1,363 Acceptance Rate 45.9 %
33	Texas State University	28000	28000	0	36,236	1100	0.8932	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Texas State University San Marcos, TX Typical Net Price $28,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,000 % Savings -- Undergraduates 36,236 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 89.3 %
34	University of Minnesota-Morris	28400	33700	0.1569	981	1140	0.7493	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, MN Typical Net Price $28,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,700 % Savings 16% Undergraduates 981 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 74.9 %
35	Elmhurst University	28600	67000	0.5734	3,213	1148	0.7364	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL Typical Net Price $28,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,000 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 3,213 Est. Median SAT 1,148 Acceptance Rate 73.6 %
36	University of Utah	28700	32000	0.1025	28,064	1237	0.8598	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Typical Net Price $28,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,000 % Savings 10% Undergraduates 28,064 Est. Median SAT 1,237 Acceptance Rate 86.0 %
37	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown	31800	49500	0.3579	1,813	1109	0.9484	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, PA Typical Net Price $31,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,500 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 1,813 Est. Median SAT 1,109 Acceptance Rate 94.8 %
38	University of Minnesota Twin Cities	32100	36700	0.1249	41,303	1338	0.7975	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Typical Net Price $32,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,700 % Savings 12% Undergraduates 41,303 Est. Median SAT 1,338 Acceptance Rate 79.8 %
39	Drake University	32600	68500	0.524	2,585	1259	0.6385	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Drake University Des Moines, IA Typical Net Price $32,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,500 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 2,585 Est. Median SAT 1,259 Acceptance Rate 63.9 %
39	University of Pittsburgh-Bradford	32600	48400	0.3266	1,009	1115	0.8854	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Bradford, PA Typical Net Price $32,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,400 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 1,009 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 88.5 %
41	University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg	34000	48800	0.303	1,321	1155	0.9521	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Greensburg, PA Typical Net Price $34,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,800 % Savings 30% Undergraduates 1,321 Est. Median SAT 1,155 Acceptance Rate 95.2 %
42	Charleston Southern University	34200	48400	0.2948	3,126	1060	0.9646	#42 #42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC Typical Net Price $34,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,400 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 3,126 Est. Median SAT 1,060 Acceptance Rate 96.5 %
43	University of Montevallo	35400	44900	0.2118	2,642	1124	0.5385	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL Typical Net Price $35,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,900 % Savings 21% Undergraduates 2,642 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 53.9 %
44	DePaul University	37800	66000	0.4275	14,188	1254	0.7589	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings DePaul University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $37,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $66,000 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 14,188 Est. Median SAT 1,254 Acceptance Rate 75.9 %
45	Clark Atlanta University	38600	51900	0.2561	3,618	990	0.6422	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA Typical Net Price $38,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,900 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 3,618 Est. Median SAT 990 Acceptance Rate 64.2 %
46	University of Central Florida	39700	39700	0	59,552	1280	0.4011	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Typical Net Price $39,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,700 % Savings -- Undergraduates 59,552 Est. Median SAT 1,280 Acceptance Rate 40.1 %
47	Oglethorpe University	41800	68600	0.3906	1,396	1216	0.8845	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Oglethorpe University Atlanta, GA Typical Net Price $41,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,600 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 1,396 Est. Median SAT 1,216 Acceptance Rate 88.5 %
48	Old Dominion University	42300	47700	0.1132	17,746	1205	0.9036	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Typical Net Price $42,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $47,700 % Savings 11% Undergraduates 17,746 Est. Median SAT 1,205 Acceptance Rate 90.4 %
49	West Chester University of Pennsylvania	42400	42400	0	14,449	1195	0.784	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA Typical Net Price $42,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,400 % Savings -- Undergraduates 14,449 Est. Median SAT 1,195 Acceptance Rate 78.4 %
50	Duquesne University	45200	70500	0.3586	5,371	1274	0.8356	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Typical Net Price $45,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $70,500 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 5,371 Est. Median SAT 1,274 Acceptance Rate 83.6 %
51	Georgia College & State University	45300	52400	0.1355	6,006	1165	0.7823	#51 #51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA Typical Net Price $45,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,400 % Savings 14% Undergraduates 6,006 Est. Median SAT 1,165 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
52	University of Kentucky	49000	58000	0.1551	25,534	1193	0.9294	#52 #52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Typical Net Price $49,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,000 % Savings 16% Undergraduates 25,534 Est. Median SAT 1,193 Acceptance Rate 92.9 %
53	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	53300	53300	0	33,033	1264	0.8529	#53 #53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Typical Net Price $53,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $53,300 % Savings -- Undergraduates 33,033 Est. Median SAT 1,264 Acceptance Rate 85.3 %
54	Clemson University	61400	63700	0.0358	23,401	1343	0.3834	#54 #54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Clemson University Clemson, SC Typical Net Price $61,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $63,700 % Savings 4% Undergraduates 23,401 Est. Median SAT 1,343 Acceptance Rate 38.3 %
55	Pepperdine University	62200	94600	0.3425	3,553	1378	0.6286	#55 #55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pepperdine University Malibu, CA Typical Net Price $62,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $94,600 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 3,553 Est. Median SAT 1,378 Acceptance Rate 62.9 %