2026 Best Value Finance Schools in Illinois
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong finance education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for finance students.
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2026 Best Value Finance Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in finance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Finance Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in finance in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Finance graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $55,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Millikin University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Students borrow a median of $26,036 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $58,852. That is a strong return on a $26,036 median debt. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $54,802. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #4 makes Augustana College Illinois one of the best values for finance. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,764. Finance graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,764 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #5 place for finance. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,326 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,452. That is a strong return on a $23,326 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $75,381. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in finance this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #8 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $12,502 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $48,807. Set against $12,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for finance value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,468 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,370. Set against $22,468 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #10 position for value in finance this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,447 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $48,708. Set against $20,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #11 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Lewis University came in at #12 for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,688. Finance graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $52,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,688 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $54,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Aurora University placed #14 among the best values for finance. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Finance graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,437. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Elmhurst College came in at #15 for value in finance this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $57,171. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Roosevelt University earned the #16 position for value in finance this year. Roosevelt 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 $21,315. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
North Central College placed #17 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $51,420. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Benedictine University placed #18 among the best values for finance. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,648. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,500. Finance graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $51,444 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northwestern University placed #19 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Finance graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Finance graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University came in at #20 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,905. Finance graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,261 early in their careers. Set against $20,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Forest College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,402. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $61,264. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Depaul University placed #22 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $66,863. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #23 spot for finance value this year. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $57,704. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $62,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Loyola University Chicago placed #24 among the best values for finance. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Students borrow a median of $24,988 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $66,919. Set against $24,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
