2026 Best Value History Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in history in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. History graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $26,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

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 history schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $23,892 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $33,297. That is a strong return on a $23,892 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for history. 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 $22,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $33,288. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

4

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

A rank of #4 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for history. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for history graduates is $31,250. History graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for history. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $26,436. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #6 among the best values for history. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $26,916 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

7

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $32,149 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

8

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #8 position for value in history this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $30,101 early in their careers. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

9

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago placed #9 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $46,616. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

10

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #10 spot for history value 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 history graduates is $24,838. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

11

Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College earned the #11 position for value in history this year. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,676. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,922. History graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $41,184 early in their careers. Set against $26,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.

12

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #12 spot for history value this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

13

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $40,465. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

14

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College earned the #14 position for value in history this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. History 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. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

15

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $46,247. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

16

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois placed #16 among the best values for history. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. History graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

17

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #17 for value in history 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 history graduates is $15,917. Early-career history graduates make about $50,161. That is a strong return on a $15,917 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

18

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,661. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.

19

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #19 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $36,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

20

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. History graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $31,079. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.