2026 Best Value Operations Management Schools in Illinois

1

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Leading the list is Lewis And Clark Community College, our #1 best value for operations management in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

2

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. 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 $11,995 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $39,887. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.

3

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

A rank of #3 makes Oakton Community College one of the best values for operations management. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the operations management program here. Early-career operations management graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Students looking for strong value in operations management will find it at Mchenry County College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $7,440. Early-career operations management graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $68,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

6

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University came in at #6 for value in operations management this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $20,207. Early-career operations management graduates make about $58,324. That is a strong return on a $20,207 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in operations management this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $19,175. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $93,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

8

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago came in at #8 for value in operations management this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $53,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.

9

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #9 for value in operations management this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $16,616. Early-career operations management graduates make about $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

10

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,140. Students borrow a median of $26,691 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Quincy University generally make around $46,414. Set against $26,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.

11

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $26,333. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. Set against $26,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

12

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $83,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.