<p>As I stated to another Illinois resident, it’s going to be difficult to beat UI-UC for reputation for the price. Most OOS publics universities of that calibre will run you a good 50% more than that and the private schools will be double that. Getting a $30K merit award is not easy from schools that cost up in the $60K range. Financial aid, will be integrated with merit, so it’s tough getting the cost down to that level. Mom2physicsgeek put it very well.</p>