2026 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in Illinois

1

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College earned the #1 spot for value among teacher education grade specific schools in Illinois. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $44,458. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education grade specific, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $65,587. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

4

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education grade specific, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $45,235. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

5

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Students looking for strong value in teacher education grade specific will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #5. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $25,133. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $47,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

6

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $44,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

7

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $51,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

8

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University placed #8 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $27,340. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $43,331. That is a strong return on a $27,340 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

9

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University landed the #9 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $29,854. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $49,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,854 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #10 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. 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, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $50,601. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

11

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois came in at #11 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific 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%.

12

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. 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 teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $41,582. That is a strong return on a $22,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

13

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University came in at #13 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,924 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #14 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $38,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

15

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University landed the #15 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Students borrow a median of $53,774 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $53,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.

16

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $21,944. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $39,496. Set against $21,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

17

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis came in at #17 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. 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. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $23,878. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $43,864. That is a strong return on a $23,878 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

18

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University landed the #18 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $42,172 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $47,995 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $42,172 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

19

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago placed #19 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. 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. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,004. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

20

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College placed #20 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. 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. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $45,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

21

Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College came in at #21 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,676 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Set against $26,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

22

Saint Augustine College
Chicago, IL

Saint Augustine College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,688. Students borrow a median of $4,974 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $34,201. That is a strong return on a $4,974 median debt.

23

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University landed the #23 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. In-state tuition and fees average $37,140. Students borrow a median of $26,691 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Quincy University earn a median of $37,657 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.

24

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #24 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $26,000. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.

25

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #25 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $44,898. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.