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	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	11300	34400	0.6706	37,140	1442	0.4237	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Typical Net Price $11,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,400 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 37,140 Est. Median SAT 1,442 Acceptance Rate 42.4 %
2	Bates College	12300	91800	0.8659	1,760	1438	0.1332	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bates College Lewiston, ME Typical Net Price $12,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $91,800 % Savings 87% Undergraduates 1,760 Est. Median SAT 1,438 Acceptance Rate 13.3 %
3	Northern Illinois University	12500	29000	0.5679	11,349	1070	0.6979	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Typical Net Price $12,500 • 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 %
3	University of Richmond	12500	87400	0.8574	3,055	1484	0.222	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA Typical Net Price $12,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $87,400 % Savings 86% Undergraduates 3,055 Est. Median SAT 1,484 Acceptance Rate 22.2 %
5	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville	14400	41100	0.6502	8,975	1045	0.9721	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Typical Net Price $14,400 • 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 %
6	University of Nebraska at Kearney	14600	22700	0.3563	4,214	1090	0.8949	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE Typical Net Price $14,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $22,700 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 4,214 Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 89.5 %
7	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	15300	28100	0.4555	8,553	1054	0.8688	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Typical Net Price $15,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,100 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 8,553 Est. Median SAT 1,054 Acceptance Rate 86.9 %
8	Northern State University	15400	24600	0.3744	3,169	1075	0.9317	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern State University Aberdeen, SD Typical Net Price $15,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,600 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 3,169 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 93.2 %
9	Pitzer College	15500	90700	0.8291	1,242	1279	0.2516	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pitzer College Claremont, CA Typical Net Price $15,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $90,700 % Savings 83% Undergraduates 1,242 Est. Median SAT 1,279 Acceptance Rate 25.2 %
10	Trinity University	16000	64800	0.7532	2,518	1402	0.2592	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trinity University San Antonio, TX Typical Net Price $16,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,800 % Savings 75% Undergraduates 2,518 Est. Median SAT 1,402 Acceptance Rate 25.9 %
11	University of Pittsburgh-Bradford	16700	32100	0.4791	1,002	1115	0.8898	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Bradford, PA Typical Net Price $16,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,100 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 1,002 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 89.0 %
12	Ferris State University	16900	31000	0.4555	8,989	1015	0.9151	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Typical Net Price $16,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,000 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 8,989 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 91.5 %
13	Coe College	17800	73500	0.7578	1,195	1207	0.6404	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA Typical Net Price $17,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $73,500 % Savings 76% Undergraduates 1,195 Est. Median SAT 1,207 Acceptance Rate 64.0 %
14	Texas State University	18900	28900	0.3455	36,268	1100	0.8908	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Texas State University San Marcos, TX Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,900 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 36,268 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 89.1 %
15	Illinois College	19100	52300	0.6349	940	1054	0.7819	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Illinois College Jacksonville, IL Typical Net Price $19,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,300 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 940 Est. Median SAT 1,054 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
15	University of Mississippi	19100	45500	0.5807	21,585	1182	0.9658	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Mississippi University, MS Typical Net Price $19,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,500 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 21,585 Est. Median SAT 1,182 Acceptance Rate 96.6 %
17	Jackson State University	19300	28000	0.3102	4,650	950	0.4823	#17 #17 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 48.2 %
17	Youngstown State University	19300	29300	0.3409	8,436	1065	0.8066	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Typical Net Price $19,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,300 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 8,436 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 80.7 %
19	Marshall University	20500	36300	0.4356	9,165	1065	0.9572	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Marshall University Huntington, WV Typical Net Price $20,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,300 % Savings 44% Undergraduates 9,165 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 95.7 %
20	Augsburg University	21100	56400	0.6259	2,527	1065	0.8198	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN Typical Net Price $21,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,400 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 2,527 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 82.0 %
21	Black Hills State University	21500	24900	0.1361	3,279	1075	0.9531	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD Typical Net Price $21,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,900 % Savings 14% Undergraduates 3,279 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 95.3 %
22	Whitman College	21700	85500	0.7466	1,561	1399	0.3815	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Whitman College Walla Walla, WA Typical Net Price $21,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $85,500 % Savings 75% Undergraduates 1,561 Est. Median SAT 1,399 Acceptance Rate 38.2 %
23	Sul Ross State University	22900	37300	0.3862	1,441	1000	0.9562	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX Typical Net Price $22,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,300 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 1,441 Est. Median SAT 1,000 Acceptance Rate 95.6 %
24	Bethel University	23300	49200	0.526	1,107	1029	0.9868	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bethel University Mishawaka, IN Typical Net Price $23,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,200 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 1,107 Est. Median SAT 1,029 Acceptance Rate 98.7 %
25	Ohio University-Main Campus	23700	24500	0.0326	19,888	1209	0.8517	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH Typical Net Price $23,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,500 % Savings 3% Undergraduates 19,888 Est. Median SAT 1,209 Acceptance Rate 85.2 %
26	Elmhurst University	24800	67000	0.6301	3,170	1148	0.7357	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL Typical Net Price $24,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,000 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 3,170 Est. Median SAT 1,148 Acceptance Rate 73.6 %
27	Scripps College	25100	94800	0.735	1,117	1475	0.3829	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Scripps College Claremont, CA Typical Net Price $25,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $94,800 % Savings 74% Undergraduates 1,117 Est. Median SAT 1,475 Acceptance Rate 38.3 %
28	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	25800	36500	0.2928	14,783	1124	0.8096	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH Typical Net Price $25,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,500 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 14,783 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 81.0 %
29	Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania	26100	32800	0.204	4,421	1099	0.8555	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA Typical Net Price $26,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,800 % Savings 20% Undergraduates 4,421 Est. Median SAT 1,099 Acceptance Rate 85.6 %
30	Georgia Southern University	26500	26700	0.0075	23,618	1065	0.8789	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Typical Net Price $26,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,700 % Savings 1% Undergraduates 23,618 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 87.9 %
31	University of New Mexico-Main Campus	27500	43800	0.3725	17,771	1044	0.7933	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM Typical Net Price $27,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,800 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 17,771 Est. Median SAT 1,044 Acceptance Rate 79.3 %
32	University of Minnesota-Morris	28800	33700	0.1452	981	1140	0.7493	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, MN Typical Net Price $28,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,700 % Savings 15% Undergraduates 981 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 74.9 %
33	Clemson University	29400	37100	0.207	23,401	1343	0.3834	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Clemson University Clemson, SC Typical Net Price $29,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,100 % Savings 21% Undergraduates 23,401 Est. Median SAT 1,343 Acceptance Rate 38.3 %
34	Syracuse University	30400	83100	0.6342	15,958	1363	0.4611	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Typical Net Price $30,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $83,100 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 15,958 Est. Median SAT 1,363 Acceptance Rate 46.1 %
35	East Tennessee State University	30700	30700	0	10,633	1124	0.8706	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN Typical Net Price $30,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,700 % Savings -- Undergraduates 10,633 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 87.1 %
36	Drake University	34000	68500	0.5032	2,585	1226	0.6385	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Drake University Des Moines, IA Typical Net Price $34,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,500 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 2,585 Est. Median SAT 1,226 Acceptance Rate 63.9 %
37	Charleston Southern University	34600	48400	0.2866	2,914	1070	0.7609	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC Typical Net Price $34,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,400 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 2,914 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 76.1 %
38	DePaul University	34900	56200	0.3791	14,188	1218	0.7589	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings DePaul University Chicago, IL Typical Net Price $34,900 • 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 %
39	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown	35100	49600	0.2921	1,809	1109	0.9484	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, PA Typical Net Price $35,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,600 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 1,809 Est. Median SAT 1,109 Acceptance Rate 94.8 %
40	University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg	35700	49400	0.2775	1,305	1155	0.9521	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Greensburg, PA Typical Net Price $35,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,400 % Savings 28% Undergraduates 1,305 Est. Median SAT 1,155 Acceptance Rate 95.2 %
41	Boise State University	35800	48800	0.2664	24,030	1025	0.8721	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Boise State University Boise, ID Typical Net Price $35,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,800 % Savings 27% Undergraduates 24,030 Est. Median SAT 1,025 Acceptance Rate 87.2 %
41	University of Montevallo	35800	46700	0.2333	2,545	1124	0.5579	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL Typical Net Price $35,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,700 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 2,545 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 55.8 %
43	University of Central Florida	36700	39600	0.0733	59,649	1280	0.4471	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Typical Net Price $36,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,600 % Savings 7% Undergraduates 59,649 Est. Median SAT 1,280 Acceptance Rate 44.7 %
44	Clark Atlanta University	36800	49800	0.2613	3,495	1000	0.6463	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA Typical Net Price $36,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,800 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 3,495 Est. Median SAT 1,000 Acceptance Rate 64.6 %
45	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth	38900	48900	0.2045	5,731	1174	0.9064	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA Typical Net Price $38,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,900 % Savings 20% Undergraduates 5,731 Est. Median SAT 1,174 Acceptance Rate 90.6 %
46	West Chester University of Pennsylvania	41600	42500	0.0212	14,449	1195	0.7816	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA Typical Net Price $41,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,500 % Savings 2% Undergraduates 14,449 Est. Median SAT 1,195 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
47	St. John's University-New York	42100	80100	0.4742	15,640	1249	0.8343	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings St. John's University-New York Queens, NY Typical Net Price $42,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $80,100 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 15,640 Est. Median SAT 1,249 Acceptance Rate 83.4 %
48	Old Dominion University	42300	52400	0.1926	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 $52,400 % Savings 19% Undergraduates 17,746 Est. Median SAT 1,205 Acceptance Rate 90.4 %
49	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	42500	54900	0.2261	20,418	1375	0.5808	#49 #49 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 %
50	Georgia College & State University	45100	52400	0.1393	6,006	1155	0.8779	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA Typical Net Price $45,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,400 % Savings 14% Undergraduates 6,006 Est. Median SAT 1,155 Acceptance Rate 87.8 %
51	Duquesne University	45600	70500	0.353	5,371	1269	0.8356	#51 #51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Typical Net Price $45,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $70,500 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 5,371 Est. Median SAT 1,269 Acceptance Rate 83.6 %
52	University of Kentucky	49000	56000	0.1236	25,535	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 $56,000 % Savings 12% Undergraduates 25,535 Est. Median SAT 1,193 Acceptance Rate 92.9 %
53	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	51700	51700	0	33,572	1264	0.8529	#53 #53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Typical Net Price $51,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,700 % Savings -- Undergraduates 33,572 Est. Median SAT 1,264 Acceptance Rate 85.3 %
54	University of Utah	51800	53700	0.0351	28,064	1237	0.8598	#54 #54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Typical Net Price $51,800 • 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 %
55	University of Minnesota Twin Cities	53600	61000	0.1226	41,303	1338	0.7975	#55 #55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Typical Net Price $53,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $61,000 % Savings 12% Undergraduates 41,303 Est. Median SAT 1,338 Acceptance Rate 79.8 %
56	Pepperdine University	62200	92800	0.3296	3,553	1378	0.6286	#56 #56 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pepperdine University Malibu, CA Typical Net Price $62,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $92,800 % Savings 33% Undergraduates 3,553 Est. Median SAT 1,378 Acceptance Rate 62.9 %
57	University of California-Berkeley	74600	75500	0.0119	33,469	1407	0.1104	#57 #57 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Typical Net Price $74,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $75,500 % Savings 1% Undergraduates 33,469 Est. Median SAT 1,407 Acceptance Rate 11.0 %