2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Illinois
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for higher education/higher education administration students.
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2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for higher education/higher education administration in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $20,115. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $61,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $63,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
National Louis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #4 spot this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $87,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at Concordia University Chicago, which ranked #5. 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. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $91,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #6 for value in higher education/higher education administration 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. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $43,161. Set against $23,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
North Park University came in at #7 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Roosevelt University placed #8 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,879. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $100,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College placed #9 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of North Central College earn a median of $81,014 early in their careers. Set against $25,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Mckendree University landed the #10 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,740. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,362. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,068. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #11 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $60,945 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $55,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
