Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has frozen tuition rates at 2009 levels. This means for the 2010-11 academic year, Illinois freshmen and new transfer students will pay just $8,400 for tuition, fees and books, and Missouri residents with a 23 or better ACT can pay less than $10,000.

"SIUE's affordability compared with other institutions, coupled with the high-quality education available, make it an attractive option for students," said Scott Belobrajdic, assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management.

Only 20 minutes from St. Louis, SIUE offers room and board on its 2,600-acre campus at $7,800 per year.

"You can have a fully accredited education on a gorgeous university campus and access to everything

St. Louis has to offer for considerably less than you would pay in tuition alone at most private universities," Belobrajdic said. "That's before we apply scholarships and financial aid."

He added that students can have the complete package at SIUE — an NCAA Division I Athletics program, affordable tuition and housing and a superior undergraduate academic experience. SIUE is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of 77 up-and-coming universities in the United States, and among the top five in the Midwest. To learn more visit SIUE.edu or call 618-650-3705 to talk with an admissions counselor.

— Southern Illinois University

Edwardsville