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2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools in Illinois

6 Colleges in the United States
$23,104 Avg Student Debt
$67,746 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Badge [Health/Medical Prep Programs](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/) 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 13 schools to find the best return on investment for health/medical prep programs students.

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2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health/medical prep programs, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for health/medical prep programs in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $20,115. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in health/medical prep programs will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $27,000. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $31,899. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

3
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Students looking for strong value in health/medical prep programs will find it at Dominican University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.

4
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

A rank of #4 makes Aurora University one of the best values for health/medical prep programs. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $33,018 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Northwestern University one of the best values for health/medical prep programs. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

6

Loyola University Chicago came in at #6 for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

View All Health/Medical Prep Programs Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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