2026 Best Value Marketing Schools in Illinois
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marketing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marketing students.
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2026 Best Value Marketing Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marketing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marketing Schools
For return on investment in marketing, no school beat College Of Dupage this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for marketing. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Marketing graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Marketing graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $42,782 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,875. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $51,137. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Augustana College Illinois one of the best values for marketing. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Students borrow a median of $26,764 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $39,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at Saint Xavier University, which ranked #5. 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. Marketing graduates carry a median of $26,047 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $43,892. That is a strong return on a $26,047 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Illinois University came in at #6 for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $29,592 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $39,977. That is a strong return on a $29,592 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the best values for marketing. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $69,994. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Marketing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Dominican University landed the #9 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in marketing this year. 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, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $46,844. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #11 position for value in marketing this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern Career College came in at #12 for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Midwestern Career College is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $14,360 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $38,130. That is a strong return on a $14,360 median debt.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Marketing graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $58,760. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Chicago earned the #14 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Marketing graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Marketing graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Lewis University landed the #15 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Marketing graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $43,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
North Park University landed the #16 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $27,360. Early-career marketing graduates make about $51,611. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Quincy University earned the #17 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Students borrow a median of $26,691 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Quincy University generally make around $46,414. Set against $26,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Quincy University admits about 51% of applicants.
Illinois State University landed the #18 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $51,687 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Aurora University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Students borrow a median of $22,900 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $39,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Elmhurst College placed #20 among the best values for marketing. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $19,000. Marketing graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $40,074 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University landed the #21 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Students borrow a median of $23,869 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $42,720. That is a strong return on a $23,869 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
North Central College came in at #22 for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Marketing graduates carry a median of $22,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $45,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Central College admits about 77% of applicants.
Benedictine University landed the #23 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Students borrow a median of $20,201 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $44,417. That is a strong return on a $20,201 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #24 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Marketing graduates carry a median of $24,017 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $48,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,017 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University landed the #25 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $25,949. Early-career marketing graduates make about $34,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Marketing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for marketing this year:
View All Marketing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
