2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois

1

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Our analysis ranked Elgin Community College the best value for a degree in early childhood education in Illinois. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for early childhood education. 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 early childhood education graduates is $16,750. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $65,587 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

3

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #3. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $45,235. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

4

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $44,214. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

5

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #5 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for early childhood education. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $29,854. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $49,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

6

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $15,612 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $51,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

7

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $43,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in early childhood education this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $50,601. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

9

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University came in at #9 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,924. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Students borrow a median of $53,774 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $53,774 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #11 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,250. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $38,830. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

12

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University earned the #12 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $42,172 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $47,995. Set against $42,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.

13

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #13 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,944. Early Childhood Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $39,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

14

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,004. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

15

Saint Augustine College
Chicago, IL

Saint Augustine College earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,688. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $4,974. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Saint Augustine College generally make around $34,201. Set against $4,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,000. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $55,718. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

17

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for early childhood education value this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $44,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

18

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Students borrow a median of $26,691 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $37,657. That is a strong return on a $26,691 median debt. Quincy University admits about 51% of applicants.

19

Rasmussen College Illinois
Rockford, IL

Rasmussen College Illinois placed #19 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a mid-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,581. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $17,722 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $28,188. Set against $17,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University landed the #20 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $56,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

21

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #21 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $24,064 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $48,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

22

Greenville College
Greenville, IL

Greenville College came in at #22 for value in early childhood education this year. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,200. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $22,103 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $36,911. That is a strong return on a $22,103 median debt. Greenville College admits about 98% of applicants.

23

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Students borrow a median of $26,951 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $44,072 early in their careers. Set against $26,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.

24

Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL

Blackburn College came in at #24 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the town of Carlinville, Blackburn College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,149. Students borrow a median of $25,255 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $33,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

25

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College
Rockford, IL

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College came in at #25 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,699. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,007. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $30,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.