2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Illinois

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

Our analysis ranked City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College the best value for a degree in engineering in Illinois. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.

3

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,500. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

4

Harper College
Palatine, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harper College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

5

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Lake County earned it the #5 place for engineering. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,785. Early-career engineering graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.

6

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,236. Engineering graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.

8

Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,586 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $74,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,628 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $88,357. That is a strong return on a $20,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

12

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $54,165. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.

13

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #13 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $66,112. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

14

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $24,698 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $74,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,698 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

15

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,142. Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $69,480 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

16

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,933 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $66,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

17

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #17 position for value in engineering this year. University Of Chicago 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 $69,324. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,854. Early-career engineering graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

18

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #18 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,201. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

19

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #19 for value in engineering this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $66,394. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

20

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #20 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,699. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

21

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University came in at #21 for value in engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,978. Engineering graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $72,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,978 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

22

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #22 for value in engineering this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,292. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.

23

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #23 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,567. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $87,403. Set against $16,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

24

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #24 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $121,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

25

Devry University Illinois
Lisle, IL

Devry University Illinois came in at #25 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,008. Students borrow a median of $43,684 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Devry University Illinois generally make around $55,470. That is a strong return on a $43,684 median debt. Devry University Illinois admits about 98% of applicants.