2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 88 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.
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2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Accounting Schools
Our analysis ranked Lewis And Clark Community College the best value for a degree in accounting in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $42,502. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College, which ranked #2. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College one of the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #4 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College placed #6 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #7 for value in accounting this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,284. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $50,250. Set against $17,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Harper College earn a median of $31,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College earned the #9 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #10 among the best values for accounting. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College placed #11 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $7,750. Accounting graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College earned the #12 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #13 for value in accounting this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,117 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $52,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #15 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $68,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University placed #16 among the best values for accounting. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $22,000. Accounting graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $47,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Heartland Community College came in at #17 for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,266. Early-career accounting graduates make about $48,710. That is a strong return on a $13,266 median debt.
Northern Illinois University landed the #18 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $67,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University placed #19 among the best values for accounting. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,326 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $49,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #20 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $62,149 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Accounting graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $74,731. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Western Illinois University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Accounting graduates carry a median of $30,023 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $59,274. That is a strong return on a $30,023 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #23 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $20,500. Early-career accounting graduates make about $55,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #24 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,000. Early-career accounting graduates make about $54,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #25 for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $48,070. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Accounting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for accounting this year:
View All Accounting Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
