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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois

1 Colleges in the United States
$13,145 Avg Student Debt
$39,524 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Value Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in value in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.

2
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Value graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $39,246. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Heartland Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,710. That is a strong return on a $13,266 median debt.

4
Fox College Inc crest
Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Fox College Inc is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tinley Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,670. Value graduates carry a median of $14,722 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Fox College Inc generally make around $36,853. That is a strong return on a $14,722 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

5

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,699. Value graduates carry a median of $18,007 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $30,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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