Most of these schools are not going to win any prestige contests. But you can get a very solid education, and most of them will probably give you significant merit aid…such that I would not be surprised if a number of them end up below the cost of UIUC. You would also want to apply to any honors colleges available, which frequently will come with smaller classes, honors dorms, priority registration, etc.
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Bowling Green State (OH): About 14k undergrads, strong digital arts program, several learning living communities related to the sciences, small classes, lots of science options, etc.
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Iowa State: About 25k undergrads. Really well-reputed engineering programs, but also strong overall. Has a medical illustration degree which might be of interest.
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Ohio U.: About 18k undergrads. Honors College has a very good reputation and also has a popular digital arts program.
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Rochester Institute of Technology (NY): This school of about 14k undergrads really melds science, technology, and arts. The fact that you’re female will stand you in good stead here, likely to help you pick up additional merit aid as the population numbers are definitely skewed with more males. Has a medical illustration major that may be of interest, too.
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SUNY Cortland: About 6k undergrads and they do a flagship match here with UIUC (all the SUNY schools, outside of Binghamton, do)
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SUNY Oneonta: About 4900 undergrads, and again, tuition will match at UIUC. Has a popular digital arts program.
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U. of Texas-Dallas: About 22k undergrads and this campus has a much more science-y and academically-focused reputation than some other Texas publics. They’ve been giving full rides (or nearly full rides) to National Merit Finalists, so there is definitely an academically strong portion to the student body here. Very popular digital arts program.
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U. of Kentucky: About 23k undergrads, covers all the bases and has a popular digital arts program.
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U. of North Carolina - Asheville: About 2900 undergrads at North Carolina’s public liberal arts college. Strong all-around academically and has a popular digital arts program.
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U. of St. Thomas (MN): About 5900 undergrads and students can also take classes at Augsburg, Hamline, Macalester, or St. Catherine’s (source).
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U. of Wisconsin - Whitewater: About 9400 undergrads and a popular program in digital arts
Also, a benefit of Ohio’s public colleges (such as Bowling Green and Ohio U) is that they will freeze tuition for 8 semesters at the price that you entered with, so no 4-5% tuition increases every year.
ETA: Somehow put “free” tuition instead of “freeze” tuition at Ohio schools.