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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Illinois

2 Colleges in the United States
$25,822 Avg Student Debt
$59,721 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Teacher Education Badge [Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Teacher Education Schools

1

Saint Xavier University tops our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools in Illinois. 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. Students borrow a median of $29,854 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for teacher education. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher 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.

3

A rank of #3 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $39,496. Set against $21,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

4
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elmhurst College earned it the #4 place for teacher education. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $24,064. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $48,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

5
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $55,226. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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