by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Elgin Community College this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Harper College, which ranked #2. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, 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.
A rank of #4 makes College Of Lake County one of the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Education graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,080. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $60,451. That is a strong return on a $17,080 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #6 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Education graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $51,419. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $54,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Millikin University landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Education graduates carry a median of $27,041 in student loans. Education graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $43,890 early in their careers. Set against $27,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for education. 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. Education graduates carry a median of $25,723 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,225. Set against $25,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Western Illinois University placed #10 among the best values for education. 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. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,664. Early-career education graduates make about $53,883. That is a strong return on a $25,664 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Education graduates carry a median of $24,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $70,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University placed #12 among the best values for education. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,512 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $48,761. Set against $27,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Education graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,589. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Augustana College Illinois ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $45,163 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Chicago State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Students borrow a median of $53,774 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University placed #16 among the best values for education. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $45,924. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #17 position for value in education 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $27,723 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $44,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #18 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Education graduates carry a median of $22,262 in student loans. Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $43,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of St Francis came in at #19 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,642 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $63,830 early in their careers. Set against $23,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,537 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $50,596. That is a strong return on a $21,537 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
National Louis University came in at #21 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for education graduates is $42,172. Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $58,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $42,172 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Education graduates carry a median of $26,552 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $64,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College placed #23 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Education graduates carry a median of $28,421 in student loans. Education graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $45,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Augustine College earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,688. Students borrow a median of $4,974 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $34,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois College landed the #25 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,922. Early-career education graduates make about $41,184. Set against $26,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
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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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.