2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Illinois

1

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Leading the list is Governors State University, our #1 best value for educational administration in Illinois. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $80,009. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

2

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,925. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $60,442. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $20,115. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

4

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $27,639. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $113,839. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Educational 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%.

6

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University placed #6 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

7

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #7 for value in educational administration this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $82,842. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for educational administration value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $67,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

9

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #9 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $46,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

10

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University placed #10 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $87,412. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $88,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.

12

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration 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. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $91,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

13

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. 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. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,730. Educational Administration graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $43,161 early in their careers. Set against $23,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14

North Park University
Chicago, IL

North Park University earned the #14 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

15

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #15 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,838. Educational Administration graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

16

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,507. Educational Administration graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $90,978 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.

17

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #17 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $89,114 early in their careers. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

18

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. 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 educational administration graduates is $23,879. Educational Administration graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $100,024 early in their careers. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

19

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $81,014. Set against $25,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

20

Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College earned the #20 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,780. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $28,094. Educational Administration graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $73,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

21

Mckendree University
Lebanon, IL

Mckendree University came in at #21 for value in educational administration this year. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,740. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $57,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University placed #22 among the best values for educational administration. 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. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $60,945. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

23

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,310. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $68,961. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

24

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #24 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,521. Educational Administration graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $55,802 early in their careers. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.