2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Illinois

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College
Chicago, IL

For return on investment in general education, no school beat City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. That is a strong return on a $11,458 median debt.

2

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

3

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

A rank of #3 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for general education. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $50,338. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $62,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

5

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trinity Christian College earned it the #5 place for general education. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,722 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Trinity Christian College generally make around $48,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.

6

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,140 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,691 in student loans. General Education graduates of Quincy University earn a median of $52,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Quincy University admits about 51% of applicants.

7

North Park University
Chicago, IL

North Park University landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,360. General Education graduates of North Park University earn a median of $57,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

8

Greenville College
Greenville, IL

Greenville College earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $32,200 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Greenville College generally make around $36,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

9

Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,780. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $56,020. Set against $28,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

10

Mckendree University
Lebanon, IL

Mckendree University landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,740. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. General Education graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $50,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants.

11

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,402. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,168. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.