2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

For return on investment in art education, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Art Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Art Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for art education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Art Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

3

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

A rank of #3 makes Millikin University one of the best values for art education. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Art Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $43,936. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

4

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $45,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,746 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $51,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in art education this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $51,105. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

7

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $25,695. Early-career art education graduates make about $70,918. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.

8

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. 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. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $27,000. Early-career art education graduates make about $44,538. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.

9

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago landed the #9 spot for art education value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Art Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,796. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

10

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University placed #10 among the best values for art education. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

11

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University came in at #11 for value in art education this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $27,000. Early-career art education graduates make about $42,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.

12

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #12 among the best values for art education. 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. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,910 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $52,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.

13

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earned the #13 position for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,623. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago generally make around $56,302. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.