2026 Best Value Construction Management Schools in Illinois
[Construction Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/construction-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction management students.
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2026 Best Value Construction Management Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Management Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for construction management in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Construction Management graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College one of the best values for construction management. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the construction management program here. Construction Management graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
John A Logan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $10,479 in student loans. Early-career construction management graduates make about $40,806. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned it the #4 place for construction management. 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. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Construction Management graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for construction management. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for construction management graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, construction management degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University landed the #6 spot for construction management value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the construction management program here. Early-career construction management graduates make about $70,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
More Construction Management Rankings
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
