2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Springfield the best value for a degree in elementary education in Illinois. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $44,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $65,587. 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 elementary 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. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,235. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

4

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #4. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,133 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

A rank of #5 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $44,214 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

6

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. 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. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,612. Early-career elementary 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 placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,340 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,331. That is a strong return on a $27,340 median debt. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

8

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $29,854. Elementary Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $49,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

10

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $45,517. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

11

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,075 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $41,582 early in their careers. Set against $22,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

12

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University landed the #12 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,924. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

14

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $53,774 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.

15

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,944. Elementary 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%.

16

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,878 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $43,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,878 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

17

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $42,172 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,995. Set against $42,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

18

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago came in at #18 for value in elementary education 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. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.

19

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College earned the #19 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,605. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.

20

Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College landed the #20 spot for elementary 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. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $41,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

21

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,140. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,691. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,657. Set against $26,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.

22

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,898. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

23

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #23 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,503. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

24

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,197 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $54,551. Set against $24,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

25

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Students borrow a median of $24,064 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Set against $24,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.