Best colleges under $20,000 a year in Illinois
The highest-rated colleges whose average yearly price after grants is under $20,000.
Best colleges under $20,000 a year in Illinois8 schools
8 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Illinois.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Net price (average yearly cost after grants) under $20,000 from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Illinois
- Net price $14,860 a year
- 96% graduate
- 2
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · PublicHonor Roll#3 in Illinois
- Net price $14,355 a year
- 85% graduate
- 3
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 7% for earnings
- Net price $18,425 a year
- 75% graduate
- 4
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL · PublicTop 16% for earnings
- Net price $10,974 a year
- 62% graduate
- 5
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL · Private nonprofitTop 21% for earnings
- Net price $13,006 a year
- 67% graduate
- 6
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL · Private nonprofitTop 18% for earnings
- Net price $17,028 a year
- 67% graduate
- 7
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL · Private nonprofit#21 in Illinois
- Net price $19,125 a year
- 58% graduate
- 8
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | $14,860 | $15,000 | $91,885 | 96% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $14,355 | $19,500 | $81,054 | 85% |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | $18,425 | $25,000 | $82,592 | 75% |
| University of Illinois Chicago | $10,974 | $16,704 | $68,740 | 62% |
| University of St. Francis | $13,006 | $21,079 | $63,926 | 67% |
| Lewis University | $17,028 | $21,500 | $66,099 | 67% |
| Trinity Christian College | $19,125 | $25,009 | $55,700 | 58% |
| Monmouth College | $17,133 | $27,000 | $51,110 | 65% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.