2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Illinois
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat University Of Illinois At Springfield this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,925. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,458. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $51,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for secondary education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $50,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $29,854 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the best values for secondary education. 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 secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $41,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Dominican University came in at #6 for value in secondary education 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. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #7 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,250. Secondary Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $58,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Chicago State University earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $53,774. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
National Louis University came in at #9 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $42,172 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $47,995 early in their careers. Set against $42,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Lewis University earned the #10 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $46,503. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Aurora University came in at #11 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,197 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $54,551 early in their careers. Set against $24,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University came in at #12 for value in secondary education 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. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,000. Secondary Education graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $56,418 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,064. Secondary Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Greenville College placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,200. Students borrow a median of $22,103 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Greenville College earn a median of $36,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,103 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
North Central College placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,247. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rockford College placed #16 among the best values for secondary education. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $38,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bradley University landed the #17 spot for secondary education value 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 secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Knox College placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,903 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Knox College earn a median of $41,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Judson University came in at #19 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,297. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,685. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University came in at #21 for value in secondary education this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #22 among the best values for secondary education. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $49,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $61,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
More Secondary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
