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	10000	91800	0.8909	1,684	1438	0.1332	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bates College Lewiston, ME Typical Net Price $10,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $91,800 % Savings 89% Undergraduates 1,684 Est. Median SAT 1,438 Acceptance Rate 13.3 %
2	Pitzer College	10300	89700	0.885	1,158	1279	0.2516	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pitzer College Claremont, CA Typical Net Price $10,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $89,700 % Savings 89% Undergraduates 1,158 Est. Median SAT 1,279 Acceptance Rate 25.2 %
3	Marshall University	10700	27100	0.6042	9,165	1065	0.9572	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Marshall University Huntington, WV Typical Net Price $10,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,100 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 9,165 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 95.7 %
4	University of Richmond	11200	87400	0.8723	3,053	1484	0.222	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA Typical Net Price $11,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $87,400 % Savings 87% Undergraduates 3,053 Est. Median SAT 1,484 Acceptance Rate 22.2 %
5	Northern Illinois University	11900	29000	0.5885	11,339	1070	0.6979	#5 #5 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 %
6	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville	13700	41100	0.6673	8,975	1045	0.9721	#6 #6 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 %
7	University of California-Berkeley	15000	43500	0.655	32,429	1407	0.1104	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Typical Net Price $15,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,500 % Savings 66% Undergraduates 32,429 Est. Median SAT 1,407 Acceptance Rate 11.0 %
8	Northern State University	15300	24600	0.3784	3,141	1075	0.9317	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Northern State University Aberdeen, SD Typical Net Price $15,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,600 % Savings 38% Undergraduates 3,141 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 93.2 %
9	Trinity University	15600	64800	0.7594	2,518	1402	0.2592	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Trinity University San Antonio, TX Typical Net Price $15,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $64,800 % Savings 76% Undergraduates 2,518 Est. Median SAT 1,402 Acceptance Rate 25.9 %
10	Ferris State University	16600	31000	0.4652	8,989	1015	0.9151	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Typical Net Price $16,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $31,000 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 8,989 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 91.5 %
11	Coe College	17000	73500	0.7693	1,195	1207	0.6404	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA Typical Net Price $17,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $73,500 % Savings 77% Undergraduates 1,195 Est. Median SAT 1,207 Acceptance Rate 64.0 %
12	Georgia Southern University	17700	23800	0.2567	23,618	1065	0.8789	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Typical Net Price $17,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,800 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 23,618 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 87.9 %
13	University of Mississippi	17900	45500	0.6071	21,585	1182	0.9658	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Mississippi University, MS Typical Net Price $17,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,500 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 21,585 Est. Median SAT 1,182 Acceptance Rate 96.6 %
14	Illinois College	18400	52300	0.6472	940	1054	0.7819	#14 #14 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 %
15	Georgia College & State University	18600	21600	0.1387	6,006	1155	0.8779	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA Typical Net Price $18,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $21,600 % Savings 14% Undergraduates 6,006 Est. Median SAT 1,155 Acceptance Rate 87.8 %
16	Texas State University	18900	28900	0.3455	36,613	1100	0.8908	#16 #16 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 36,613 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 89.1 %
16	West Chester University of Pennsylvania	18900	18900	0	14,449	1195	0.7816	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $18,900 % Savings -- Undergraduates 14,449 Est. Median SAT 1,195 Acceptance Rate 78.2 %
18	Youngstown State University	19000	29300	0.3511	8,436	1065	0.8066	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Typical Net Price $19,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $29,300 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 8,436 Est. Median SAT 1,065 Acceptance Rate 80.7 %
19	Jackson State University	19300	28000	0.3102	4,650	950	0.4823	#19 #19 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 %
20	Augsburg University	20700	56400	0.6329	2,527	1065	0.8198	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN Typical Net Price $20,700 • 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	Whitman College	21100	85500	0.753	1,555	1399	0.3815	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Whitman College Walla Walla, WA Typical Net Price $21,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $85,500 % Savings 75% Undergraduates 1,555 Est. Median SAT 1,399 Acceptance Rate 38.2 %
22	Sul Ross State University	21800	37300	0.4157	1,441	1000	0.9562	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX Typical Net Price $21,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,300 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 1,441 Est. Median SAT 1,000 Acceptance Rate 95.6 %
23	Black Hills State University	22000	24900	0.1138	3,279	1075	0.9531	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD Typical Net Price $22,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,900 % Savings 11% Undergraduates 3,279 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 95.3 %
23	University of Nebraska at Kearney	22000	26500	0.1701	4,213	1090	0.8949	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE Typical Net Price $22,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,500 % Savings 17% Undergraduates 4,213 Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 89.5 %
25	Bethel University	22600	49200	0.5412	1,107	1029	0.9868	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bethel University Mishawaka, IN Typical Net Price $22,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,200 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 1,107 Est. Median SAT 1,029 Acceptance Rate 98.7 %
26	Syracuse University	22900	83100	0.7244	15,955	1363	0.4611	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Typical Net Price $22,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $83,100 % Savings 72% Undergraduates 15,955 Est. Median SAT 1,363 Acceptance Rate 46.1 %
27	University of New Mexico-Main Campus	23000	27500	0.1618	17,402	1044	0.7933	#27 #27 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 17,402 Est. Median SAT 1,044 Acceptance Rate 79.3 %
28	Ohio University-Main Campus	23400	24500	0.0448	19,888	1209	0.8517	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH Typical Net Price $23,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,500 % Savings 4% Undergraduates 19,888 Est. Median SAT 1,209 Acceptance Rate 85.2 %
29	Elmhurst University	24300	67000	0.6376	3,170	1148	0.7357	#29 #29 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 %
30	Scripps College	25100	91600	0.7257	1,117	1475	0.3829	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Scripps College Claremont, CA Typical Net Price $25,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $91,600 % Savings 73% Undergraduates 1,117 Est. Median SAT 1,475 Acceptance Rate 38.3 %
31	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	25400	36500	0.3038	14,783	1124	0.8096	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH Typical Net Price $25,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,500 % Savings 30% Undergraduates 14,783 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 81.0 %
32	Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania	25600	32800	0.2192	4,421	1099	0.8555	#32 #32 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 $32,800 % Savings 22% Undergraduates 4,421 Est. Median SAT 1,099 Acceptance Rate 85.6 %
33	Clemson University	27200	35800	0.241	23,401	1343	0.3834	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Clemson University Clemson, SC Typical Net Price $27,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,800 % Savings 24% Undergraduates 23,401 Est. Median SAT 1,343 Acceptance Rate 38.3 %
34	University of Minnesota-Morris	27800	33700	0.1733	968	1140	0.7493	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, MN Typical Net Price $27,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,700 % Savings 17% Undergraduates 968 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 74.9 %
35	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	28700	52900	0.4576	36,970	1442	0.4237	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Typical Net Price $28,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,900 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 36,970 Est. Median SAT 1,442 Acceptance Rate 42.4 %
36	University of Pittsburgh-Bradford	29800	43700	0.3178	1,002	1115	0.8898	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Bradford, PA Typical Net Price $29,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,700 % Savings 32% Undergraduates 1,002 Est. Median SAT 1,115 Acceptance Rate 89.0 %
37	East Tennessee State University	30700	30700	0	10,633	1124	0.8706	#37 #37 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 %
38	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	32500	46200	0.2968	8,526	1054	0.8688	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Typical Net Price $32,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,200 % Savings 30% Undergraduates 8,526 Est. Median SAT 1,054 Acceptance Rate 86.9 %
39	Charleston Southern University	33600	48400	0.3061	2,914	1070	0.7609	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC Typical Net Price $33,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,400 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 2,914 Est. Median SAT 1,070 Acceptance Rate 76.1 %
39	Drake University	33600	68500	0.5095	2,585	1226	0.6385	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Drake University Des Moines, IA Typical Net Price $33,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,500 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 2,585 Est. Median SAT 1,226 Acceptance Rate 63.9 %
41	DePaul University	34600	56200	0.3845	14,188	1218	0.7589	#41 #41 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 %
41	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown	34600	49600	0.3022	1,809	1109	0.9484	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, PA Typical Net Price $34,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,600 % Savings 30% Undergraduates 1,809 Est. Median SAT 1,109 Acceptance Rate 94.8 %
43	University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg	35000	49400	0.2917	1,305	1155	0.9521	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Greensburg, PA Typical Net Price $35,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,400 % Savings 29% Undergraduates 1,305 Est. Median SAT 1,155 Acceptance Rate 95.2 %
44	Boise State University	35100	48800	0.2807	24,030	1025	0.8721	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Boise State University Boise, ID Typical Net Price $35,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,800 % Savings 28% Undergraduates 24,030 Est. Median SAT 1,025 Acceptance Rate 87.2 %
45	University of Montevallo	35700	46700	0.2355	2,509	1124	0.5579	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL Typical Net Price $35,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,700 % Savings 24% Undergraduates 2,509 Est. Median SAT 1,124 Acceptance Rate 55.8 %
46	Clark Atlanta University	36300	49800	0.2714	3,495	1000	0.6463	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA Typical Net Price $36,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,800 % Savings 27% Undergraduates 3,495 Est. Median SAT 1,000 Acceptance Rate 64.6 %
47	University of Central Florida	36900	39600	0.0682	68,470	1280	0.4471	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Typical Net Price $36,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,600 % Savings 7% Undergraduates 68,470 Est. Median SAT 1,280 Acceptance Rate 44.7 %
48	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth	38300	48900	0.2167	5,731	1174	0.9064	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA Typical Net Price $38,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,900 % Savings 22% Undergraduates 5,731 Est. Median SAT 1,174 Acceptance Rate 90.6 %
49	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	41800	54900	0.2388	20,418	1375	0.5808	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Typical Net Price $41,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,900 % Savings 24% Undergraduates 20,418 Est. Median SAT 1,375 Acceptance Rate 58.1 %
50	St. John's University-New York	41900	80100	0.4767	15,640	1249	0.8343	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings St. John's University-New York Queens, NY Typical Net Price $41,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $80,100 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 15,640 Est. Median SAT 1,249 Acceptance Rate 83.4 %
51	Old Dominion University	42500	52400	0.1888	17,735	1205	0.9036	#51 #51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Typical Net Price $42,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $52,400 % Savings 19% Undergraduates 17,735 Est. Median SAT 1,205 Acceptance Rate 90.4 %
52	Duquesne University	44700	70500	0.3664	5,371	1269	0.8356	#52 #52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Typical Net Price $44,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $70,500 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 5,371 Est. Median SAT 1,269 Acceptance Rate 83.6 %
53	University of Minnesota Twin Cities	48800	57200	0.1473	42,178	1338	0.7975	#53 #53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Typical Net Price $48,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,200 % Savings 15% Undergraduates 42,178 Est. Median SAT 1,338 Acceptance Rate 79.8 %
54	University of Kentucky	49700	56000	0.1112	25,535	1193	0.9294	#54 #54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Typical Net Price $49,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,000 % Savings 11% Undergraduates 25,535 Est. Median SAT 1,193 Acceptance Rate 92.9 %
55	University of Utah	50900	53700	0.0527	28,064	1237	0.8598	#55 #55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Typical Net Price $50,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $53,700 % Savings 5% Undergraduates 28,064 Est. Median SAT 1,237 Acceptance Rate 86.0 %
56	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	51700	51700	0	34,656	1264	0.8529	#56 #56 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 34,656 Est. Median SAT 1,264 Acceptance Rate 85.3 %
57	Pepperdine University	62200	92800	0.3296	3,553	1378	0.6286	#57 #57 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 %