Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of Illinois

Most Affordable Colleges for Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric and Majors 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 Bates College 6400 92900 0.9309 1,736 1412 0.1483
#1

#1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Bates College
Lewiston, ME

Sticker Price

$92,900

% Savings

93%

Undergraduates

1,736

Est. Median SAT

1,412

Acceptance Rate

14.8 %

2 University of Richmond 9500 88400 0.8926 3,052 1472 0.2224
#2

#2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

Sticker Price

$88,400

% Savings

89%

Undergraduates

3,052

Est. Median SAT

1,472

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

Sticker Price

$26,300

% Savings

63%

Undergraduates

2,013

Est. Median SAT

845

Acceptance Rate

92.4 %

4 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale 12500 28100 0.5551 8,421 1054 0.9444
#4

#4 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 %

5 Pitzer College 12700 94100 0.8652 1,193 1279 0.2685
#5

#5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pitzer College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$94,100

% Savings

87%

Undergraduates

1,193

Est. Median SAT

1,279

Acceptance Rate

26.9 %

6 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 13600 34600 0.6076 8,945 1099 0.975
#6

#6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Sticker Price

$34,600

% Savings

61%

Undergraduates

8,945

Est. Median SAT

1,099

Acceptance Rate

97.5 %

6 Trinity University 13600 69600 0.805 2,423 1408 0.2488
#6

#6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Sticker Price

$69,600

% Savings

81%

Undergraduates

2,423

Est. Median SAT

1,408

Acceptance Rate

24.9 %

8 University of California-Merced 14000 41900 0.666 8,234 1070 0.9704
#8

#8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Merced
Merced, CA

Sticker Price

$41,900

% Savings

67%

Undergraduates

8,234

Est. Median SAT

1,070

Acceptance Rate

97.0 %

9 Northern Illinois University 14300 28800 0.5048 12,118 1070 0.7164
#9

#9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Sticker Price

$28,800

% Savings

50%

Undergraduates

12,118

Est. Median SAT

1,070

Acceptance Rate

71.6 %

10 Ferris State University 16500 31000 0.4685 8,980 1015 0.8237
#10

#10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Sticker Price

$31,000

% Savings

47%

Undergraduates

8,980

Est. Median SAT

1,015

Acceptance Rate

82.4 %

11 Northern State University 16800 23300 0.2784 3,177 1085 0.96
#11

#11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD

Sticker Price

$23,300

% Savings

28%

Undergraduates

3,177

Est. Median SAT

1,085

Acceptance Rate

96.0 %

12 Whitman College 17400 85500 0.796 1,468 1397 0.4016
#12

#12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Sticker Price

$85,500

% Savings

80%

Undergraduates

1,468

Est. Median SAT

1,397

Acceptance Rate

40.2 %

13 University of Pittsburgh-Bradford 18300 33300 0.4505 1,094 1109 0.8917
#13

#13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Bradford, PA

Sticker Price

$33,300

% Savings

45%

Undergraduates

1,094

Est. Median SAT

1,109

Acceptance Rate

89.2 %

14 University of Nebraska at Kearney 18500 26300 0.2965 4,056 1090 0.4151
#14

#14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, NE

Sticker Price

$26,300

% Savings

30%

Undergraduates

4,056

Est. Median SAT

1,090

Acceptance Rate

41.5 %

15 Jackson State University 19300 28000 0.3102 4,967 940 0.9602
#15

#15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Jackson State University
Jackson, MS

Sticker Price

$28,000

% Savings

31%

Undergraduates

4,967

Est. Median SAT

940

Acceptance Rate

96.0 %

16 University of Mississippi 19400 27000 0.2814 22,939 1172 0.9738
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Mississippi
University, MS

Sticker Price

$27,000

% Savings

28%

Undergraduates

22,939

Est. Median SAT

1,172

Acceptance Rate

97.4 %

17 Illinois College 19700 55200 0.6439 1,008 1059 0.7494
#17

#17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Sticker Price

$55,200

% Savings

64%

Undergraduates

1,008

Est. Median SAT

1,059

Acceptance Rate

74.9 %

18 Bethel University 19800 54500 0.6365 1,065 1030 0.9766
#18

#18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Bethel University
Mishawaka, IN

Sticker Price

$54,500

% Savings

64%

Undergraduates

1,065

Est. Median SAT

1,030

Acceptance Rate

97.7 %

19 Youngstown State University 19900 34000 0.4147 9,687 1120 0.9145
#19

#19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Sticker Price

$34,000

% Savings

41%

Undergraduates

9,687

Est. Median SAT

1,120

Acceptance Rate

91.5 %

20 Coe College 20100 76500 0.7374 1,204 1214 0.6336
#20

#20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Sticker Price

$76,500

% Savings

74%

Undergraduates

1,204

Est. Median SAT

1,214

Acceptance Rate

63.4 %

21 East Tennessee State University 23500 30600 0.2318 10,829 1124 0.8619
#21

#21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN

Sticker Price

$30,600

% Savings

23%

Undergraduates

10,829

Est. Median SAT

1,124

Acceptance Rate

86.2 %

22 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus 23700 34400 0.311 15,273 1115 0.8089
#22

#22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Sticker Price

$34,400

% Savings

31%

Undergraduates

15,273

Est. Median SAT

1,115

Acceptance Rate

80.9 %

22 University of Kentucky 23700 36400 0.3479 25,535 1193 0.9294
#22

#22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

Sticker Price

$36,400

% Savings

35%

Undergraduates

25,535

Est. Median SAT

1,193

Acceptance Rate

92.9 %

24 Sul Ross State University 24800 37300 0.3352 1,890 1020 0.9871
#24

#24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Sul Ross State University
Alpine, TX

Sticker Price

$37,300

% Savings

34%

Undergraduates

1,890

Est. Median SAT

1,020

Acceptance Rate

98.7 %

25 University of Minnesota-Morris 24900 31900 0.219 982 1168 0.741
#25

#25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Minnesota-Morris
Morris, MN

Sticker Price

$31,900

% Savings

22%

Undergraduates

982

Est. Median SAT

1,168

Acceptance Rate

74.1 %

26 Scripps College 25300 94900 0.7338 1,103 1472 0.3988
#26

#26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$94,900

% Savings

73%

Undergraduates

1,103

Est. Median SAT

1,472

Acceptance Rate

39.9 %

27 University of New Mexico-Main Campus 27500 43800 0.3725 18,028 1059 0.7996
#27

#27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

Sticker Price

$43,800

% Savings

37%

Undergraduates

18,028

Est. Median SAT

1,059

Acceptance Rate

80.0 %

28 Syracuse University 27900 83100 0.6641 16,149 1374 0.4879
#28

#28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Sticker Price

$83,100

% Savings

66%

Undergraduates

16,149

Est. Median SAT

1,374

Acceptance Rate

48.8 %

29 Elmhurst University 28200 67000 0.5793 3,170 1133 0.7501
#29

#29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL

Sticker Price

$67,000

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

3,170

Est. Median SAT

1,133

Acceptance Rate

75.0 %

30 University of Utah 28700 32000 0.1028 29,335 1222 0.9015
#30

#30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Sticker Price

$32,000

% Savings

10%

Undergraduates

29,335

Est. Median SAT

1,222

Acceptance Rate

90.2 %

31 University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown 32800 49500 0.3377 1,829 1149 0.945
#31

#31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
Johnstown, PA

Sticker Price

$49,500

% Savings

34%

Undergraduates

1,829

Est. Median SAT

1,149

Acceptance Rate

94.5 %

32 Drake University 33600 68500 0.5091 2,504 1226 0.6494
#32

#32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Sticker Price

$68,500

% Savings

51%

Undergraduates

2,504

Est. Median SAT

1,226

Acceptance Rate

64.9 %

33 University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg 33700 48800 0.3092 1,312 1145 0.9298
#33

#33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
Greensburg, PA

Sticker Price

$48,800

% Savings

31%

Undergraduates

1,312

Est. Median SAT

1,145

Acceptance Rate

93.0 %

34 Rhode Island College 33800 45100 0.2505 5,695 995 0.8557
#34

#34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Sticker Price

$45,100

% Savings

25%

Undergraduates

5,695

Est. Median SAT

995

Acceptance Rate

85.6 %

35 University of Montevallo 35400 44900 0.2118 2,643 1124 0.5385
#35

#35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Montevallo
Montevallo, AL

Sticker Price

$44,900

% Savings

21%

Undergraduates

2,643

Est. Median SAT

1,124

Acceptance Rate

53.9 %

36 DePaul University 37800 66000 0.4275 14,338 1258 0.878
#36

#36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

DePaul University
Chicago, IL

Sticker Price

$66,000

% Savings

43%

Undergraduates

14,338

Est. Median SAT

1,258

Acceptance Rate

87.8 %

37 Clark Atlanta University 38600 73600 0.4757 3,618 990 0.6422
#37

#37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, GA

Sticker Price

$73,600

% Savings

48%

Undergraduates

3,618

Est. Median SAT

990

Acceptance Rate

64.2 %

38 University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth 39500 53200 0.2576 5,986 1110 0.8916
#38

#38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

Sticker Price

$53,200

% Savings

26%

Undergraduates

5,986

Est. Median SAT

1,110

Acceptance Rate

89.2 %

39 University of Central Florida 39700 39700 0 60,083 1289 0.428
#39

#39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Sticker Price

$39,700

% Savings

--

Undergraduates

60,083

Est. Median SAT

1,289

Acceptance Rate

42.8 %

40 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus 41600 55200 0.2463 21,388 1369 0.5945
#40

#40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

Sticker Price

$55,200

% Savings

25%

Undergraduates

21,388

Est. Median SAT

1,369

Acceptance Rate

59.5 %

41 Oglethorpe University 41800 68600 0.3908 1,338 1205 0.898
#41

#41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Oglethorpe University
Atlanta, GA

Sticker Price

$68,600

% Savings

39%

Undergraduates

1,338

Est. Median SAT

1,205

Acceptance Rate

89.8 %

42 Old Dominion University 42300 47700 0.1132 17,504 1205 0.9135
#42

#42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Sticker Price

$47,700

% Savings

11%

Undergraduates

17,504

Est. Median SAT

1,205

Acceptance Rate

91.4 %

43 West Chester University of Pennsylvania 42400 42400 0 14,657 1190 0.7583
#43

#43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

Sticker Price

$42,400

% Savings

--

Undergraduates

14,657

Est. Median SAT

1,190

Acceptance Rate

75.8 %

44 Boise State University 42800 50000 0.144 25,308 1025 0.8389
#44

#44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Sticker Price

$50,000

% Savings

14%

Undergraduates

25,308

Est. Median SAT

1,025

Acceptance Rate

83.9 %

45 Georgia College & State University 45000 52400 0.1412 6,250 1165 0.8466
#45

#45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA

Sticker Price

$52,400

% Savings

14%

Undergraduates

6,250

Est. Median SAT

1,165

Acceptance Rate

84.7 %

46 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 49800 62200 0.1995 38,572 1455 0.3659
#46

#46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL

Sticker Price

$62,200

% Savings

20%

Undergraduates

38,572

Est. Median SAT

1,455

Acceptance Rate

36.6 %

47 University of Minnesota Twin Cities 53200 61000 0.1293 42,565 1339 0.7887
#47

#47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Sticker Price

$61,000

% Savings

13%

Undergraduates

42,565

Est. Median SAT

1,339

Acceptance Rate

78.9 %

48 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus 53300 53300 0 34,447 1273 0.8804
#48

#48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

Sticker Price

$53,300

% Savings

--

Undergraduates

34,447

Est. Median SAT

1,273

Acceptance Rate

88.0 %

49 Pepperdine University 60400 94600 0.3615 3,459 1347 0.694
#49

#49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Sticker Price

$94,600

% Savings

36%

Undergraduates

3,459

Est. Median SAT

1,347

Acceptance Rate

69.4 %

50 Clemson University 61400 63700 0.036 23,401 1343 0.3834
#50

#50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Sticker Price

$63,700

% Savings

4%

Undergraduates

23,401

Est. Median SAT

1,343

Acceptance Rate

38.3 %

51 University of California-Berkeley 70800 76100 0.0697 33,513 1407 0.1145
#51

#51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Sticker Price

$76,100

% Savings

7%

Undergraduates

33,513

Est. Median SAT

1,407

Acceptance Rate

11.5 %

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

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