2026 Best Value Entrepreneurial Studies Schools in Illinois
[Entrepreneurial Studies](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/entrepreneurial-studies/) 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 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for entrepreneurial studies students.
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2026 Best Value Entrepreneurial Studies Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the entrepreneurial studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Entrepreneurial Studies Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among entrepreneurial studies schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for entrepreneurial studies graduates is $11,995. Entrepreneurial Studies 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Illinois College earned it the #2 place for entrepreneurial studies. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in entrepreneurial studies will find it at Kaskaskia College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Typical student debt for entrepreneurial studies graduates is $7,875. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in entrepreneurial studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for entrepreneurial studies graduates is $10,168. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in entrepreneurial studies will find it at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $38,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurial studies schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for entrepreneurial studies graduates is $20,778. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurial studies schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, entrepreneurial studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value entrepreneurial studies schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the entrepreneurial studies program here. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $58,760. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #9 for value in entrepreneurial studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Entrepreneurial Studies graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career entrepreneurial studies graduates make about $45,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 47 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.
