Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois (2026)
Updated
Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois lists 61 four-year institutions. Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.
University of Chicago ranks 1st on this list, with an average net price of $14,860. Across the 53 schools with a reported completion median, the average net price for families earning under $30,000 ranges from $1,242 to $43,798, with a median of $14,525.
The list includes 12 public and 49 private nonprofit schools. Trinity International University-Illinois posts the lowest average net price at $2,835.
University of Illinois Chicago ranks 17th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago · Chicago, IL | $127,757 | $14,860 | -$1,264* | 4.5% |
| University of Chicago reports median earnings of $127,757 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 4%. | |||||
| 2 | Trinity International University-Illinois · Deerfield, IL | $51,985 | $2,835 | $1,242 | 100.0% |
| Trinity International University-Illinois posts an average net price of $1,242 for families earning under $30,000, and its six-year completion rate is 46%. | |||||
| 3 | Northwestern University · Evanston, IL | $109,275 | $29,167 | $1,764 | 7.7% |
| Northwestern University ranks 85th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates earn a median of $109,275 four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | $79,628 | $14,355 | $2,038 | 42.4% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a public university in Champaign, has an average net price of $2,038 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 5 | University of Illinois Springfield · Springfield, IL | $63,235 | $9,833 | $5,778 | 85.9% |
| Graduates of University of Illinois Springfield earn a median of $63,235 four years after completing, and the university admits 86% of applicants. | |||||
| 6 | Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL | $57,453 | $12,937 | $6,941 | 71.2% |
| Western Illinois University graduates 45% of its students within six years, and its average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $6,941. | |||||
| 7 | University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago, IL | $72,839 | $10,974 | $7,529 | 77.4% |
| University of Illinois Chicago ranks 7th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 62% and median earnings of $72,839 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Saint Xavier University · Chicago, IL | $66,961 | $10,970 | $7,572 | 84.3% |
| Saint Xavier University reports an average net price of $7,572 for families earning under $30,000, and its admission rate is 84%. | |||||
| 9 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL | $65,199 | $14,889 | $8,483 | 97.5% |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranks 246th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates earn a median of $65,199 four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | University of St Francis · Joliet, IL | $75,229 | $13,006 | $8,547 | 65.3% |
| University of St Francis posts a six-year completion rate of 67%, and its average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $8,547. | |||||
| 11 | Chicago State University · Chicago, IL | $56,486 | $12,335 | $9,073 | 43.3% |
| Chicago State University, a public university in Chicago, admits 43% of applicants and reports median earnings of $56,486 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $61,484 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 86.9% |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has an average net price of $9,415 for families earning under $30,000, and its six-year completion rate is 62%. | |||||
| 13 | Governors State University · University Park, IL | $56,405 | $12,329 | $9,563 | 48.3% |
| Governors State University reports median earnings of $56,405 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $9,563 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 14 | Dominican University · River Forest, IL | $59,507 | $11,745 | $9,759 | 90.3% |
| Dominican University admits 90% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 55%. | |||||
| 15 | Eastern Illinois University · Charleston, IL | $53,620 | $12,786 | $9,828 | 65.4% |
| Eastern Illinois University ranks 15th on this list, with an average net price of $9,828 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 16 | Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL | $64,583 | $13,391 | $10,126 | 69.8% |
| Graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $64,583 four years after completing, and the school ranks 116th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 17 | Lewis University · Romeoville, IL | $66,586 | $17,028 | $10,382 | 71.3% |
| Lewis University posts a six-year completion rate of 67% and an average net price of $10,382 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 18 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $62,507 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 88.2% |
| Illinois State University reports median earnings of $62,507 for its graduates four years after completing, and its admission rate stands at 88%. | |||||
| 19 | National Louis University · Chicago, IL | $63,065 | $12,641 | $12,462 | 95.1% |
| National Louis University ranks 19th on this list, with an average net price of $12,462 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 20 | Monmouth College · Monmouth, IL | $51,368 | $17,133 | $12,483 | 90.9% |
| Monmouth College shows a six-year completion rate of 65% and median earnings of $51,368 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | Illinois College · Jacksonville, IL | $50,691 | $18,298 | $12,487 | 78.2% |
| Illinois College admits 78% of applicants and reports an average net price of $12,487 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 22 | North Central College · Naperville, IL | $61,656 | $21,044 | $12,507 | 77.3% |
| Graduates of North Central College earn a median of $61,656 four years after completing, and the school ranks 942nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 23 | Trinity Christian College · Palos Heights, IL | $57,170 | $19,125 | $12,891 | 84.9% |
| Trinity Christian College posts a six-year completion rate of 58% and an average net price of $12,891 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 24 | Illinois Institute of Technology · Chicago, IL | $91,312 | $18,425 | $12,964 | 54.9% |
| Illinois Institute of Technology reports median earnings of $91,312 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 55%. | |||||
| 25 | Northeastern Illinois University · Chicago, IL | $60,607 | $14,109 | $13,709 | 74.6% |
| Northeastern Illinois University reports median earnings of $60,607 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $13,709 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 26 | Eureka College · Eureka, IL | $49,625 | $17,349 | $13,711 | 85.0% |
| Eureka College admits 85% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 42%. | |||||
| 27 | Aurora University · Aurora, IL | $64,521 | $18,838 | $14,525 | 80.9% |
| Aurora University ranks 340th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $64,521 four years after completing. | |||||
| 28 | North Park University · Chicago, IL | $65,399 | $16,948 | $14,845 | 68.5% |
| North Park University, a private nonprofit university in Chicago, has an average net price of $14,845 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 29 | Judson University · Elgin, IL | $56,385 | $18,558 | $15,701 | 47.6% |
| Judson University posts a six-year completion rate of 60% and median earnings of $56,385 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 30 | Augustana College · Rock Island, IL | $60,377 | $22,736 | $15,787 | 62.7% |
| Augustana College ranks 30th on this list, with an admission rate of 63% and a six-year completion rate of 73%. | |||||
| 31 | VanderCook College of Music · Chicago, IL | $55,437 | $19,780 | $16,308 | 89.5% |
| VanderCook College of Music reports an average net price of $16,308 for families earning under $30,000, and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $55,437 four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | Quincy University · Quincy, IL | $59,724 | $20,359 | $16,502 | 50.9% |
| Quincy University ranks 1137th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside a six-year completion rate of 45%. | |||||
| 33 | Concordia University-Chicago · River Forest, IL | $71,699 | $18,436 | $16,795 | 92.8% |
| Concordia University-Chicago admits 93% of applicants, and its graduates four years after completing report median earnings of $71,699. | |||||
| 34 | Blackburn College · Carlinville, IL | $46,015 | $18,460 | $16,838 | 63.2% |
| Blackburn College has an average net price of $16,838 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 34th on this list. | |||||
| 35 | Knox College · Galesburg, IL | $49,217 | $24,595 | $17,134 | 70.8% |
| Knox College posts a six-year completion rate of 68%, and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $49,217 four years after completing. | |||||
| 36 | Olivet Nazarene University · Bourbonnais, IL | $64,769 | $20,729 | $17,232 | 55.9% |
| Olivet Nazarene University ranks 745th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $17,232 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 37 | Bradley University · Peoria, IL | $74,150 | $22,719 | $17,269 | 76.8% |
| Bradley University reports median earnings of $74,150 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $17,269 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 38 | Illinois Wesleyan University · Bloomington, IL | $69,265 | $28,199 | $17,732 | 39.3% |
| Illinois Wesleyan University, a private nonprofit university in Bloomington, admits 39% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 75%. | |||||
| 39 | Elmhurst University · Elmhurst, IL | $63,784 | $24,185 | $17,892 | 73.6% |
| Elmhurst University ranks 39th on this list and carries an average net price of $17,892 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 40 | Roosevelt University · Chicago, IL | $58,796 | $20,194 | $18,018 | 97.2% |
| Graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $58,796 four years after completing, and the school admits 97% of applicants. | |||||
| 41 | Millikin University · Decatur, IL | $54,115 | $21,989 | $18,659 | 66.7% |
| Millikin University shows a six-year completion rate of 55% and an average net price of $18,659 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 42 | East-West University · Chicago, IL | $43,920 | $21,697 | $19,168 | Not reported |
| East-West University ranks 1026th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median graduate earnings of $43,920 four years after completing. | |||||
| 43 | Greenville University · Greenville, IL | $47,578 | $19,533 | $19,181 | 97.5% |
| Greenville University admits 98% of applicants and reports an average net price of $19,181 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 44 | Lake Forest College · Lake Forest, IL | $62,893 | $28,673 | $19,605 | 56.8% |
| Lake Forest College posts a six-year completion rate of 78% alongside median earnings of $62,893 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | Wheaton College · Wheaton, IL | $57,675 | $26,975 | $20,001 | 87.4% |
| Wheaton College ranks 45th on this list and graduates 85% of its students within six years. | |||||
| 46 | Benedictine University · Lisle, IL | $72,460 | $22,313 | $20,168 | 95.2% |
| Benedictine University reports median earnings of $72,460 for its graduates four years after completing, and its average net price for families earning under $30,000 is $20,168. | |||||
| 47 | Rockford University · Rockford, IL | $59,145 | $22,436 | $20,877 | 92.9% |
| Rockford University admits 93% of applicants and carries an average net price of $20,877 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 48 | Columbia College Chicago · Chicago, IL | $47,092 | $26,598 | $20,924 | 89.5% |
| Columbia College Chicago ranks 1094th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a six-year completion rate of 52%. | |||||
| 49 | Moody Bible Institute · Chicago, IL | $46,905 | $22,221 | $21,293 | 82.7% |
| Moody Bible Institute reports median earnings of $46,905 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $21,293 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 50 | McKendree University · Lebanon, IL | $60,630 | $24,717 | $21,928 | 71.7% |
| McKendree University admits 72% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 53%. | |||||
| 51 | DePaul University · Chicago, IL | $73,466 | $30,902 | $27,359 | 75.9% |
| DePaul University ranks 276th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates across all fields earning a median of $73,466 four years after completing. | |||||
| 52 | Loyola University Chicago · Chicago, IL | $73,865 | $36,079 | $28,992 | 81.6% |
| Graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $73,865 four years after completing, and the school reports an average net price of $28,992 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 53 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago · Chicago, IL | $45,385 | $49,790 | $43,798 | 77.5% |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a six-year completion rate of 67% and an admission rate of 77%. | |||||
| 54 | Rush University · Chicago, IL | $110,508 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Rush University reports median earnings of $110,508 for its graduates four years after completing, and ranks 480th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 55 | Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences · Rock Island, IL | $72,915 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences ranks 55th on this list, with graduates across all fields earning a median of $72,915 four years after completing. | |||||
| 56 | Saint Anthony College of Nursing · Rockford, IL | $82,776 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Saint Anthony College of Nursing posts a median of $82,776 in earnings for its graduates four years after completing, and ranks 725th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 57 | Lakeview College of Nursing · Danville, IL | $84,051 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Lakeview College of Nursing reports median earnings of $84,051 for its graduates four years after completing, and ranks 738th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 58 | Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences · Quincy, IL | $77,213 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences ranks 818th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates across all fields earning a median of $77,213 four years after completing. | |||||
| 59 | St. John's College · Springfield, IL | $80,149 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| St. John's College reports median earnings of $80,149 for its graduates four years after completing, and ranks 890th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 60 | Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing · Peoria, IL | $77,074 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing ranks 1034th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates across all fields earning a median of $77,074 four years after completing. | |||||
| 61 | National University of Health Sciences · Lombard, IL | $43,705 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| National University of Health Sciences, a private nonprofit institution in Lombard, reports median earnings of $43,705 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. Earnings figures reflect federally aided completers across all fields who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. The list does not adjust for who enrolls and is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 53 schools with a reported completion median. University of Chicago and Trinity International University-Illinois sit at the top of the list, separated by $2,506 for families earning under $30,000.