2026 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in Illinois

[General Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/general-mathematics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mathematics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for general mathematics students.
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Featured General Mathematics Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Mathematics
If you have a knack for mathematics and an interest in learning more, study online to achieve your career goals at Southern New Hampshire University. Our mathematics degree can help you enhance your mathematical abilities, including reasoning and problem-solving in three areas: analysis, algebra and statistics.
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BA in Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Put mathematical concepts to work to solve today's most complex real-world problems by studying applied mathematics with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mathematics Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Illinois University the best value for a degree in general mathematics in Illinois. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mathematics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics 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.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for general mathematics. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $23,917. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,847 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $48,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general mathematics will find it at Dominican University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for general mathematics value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $44,857. Set against $25,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #7 for value in general mathematics this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $24,925. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #8 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $100,421. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Aurora University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $51,483. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #10 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $20,309 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $52,597. Set against $20,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #11 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University landed the #12 spot for general mathematics value 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. Students borrow a median of $12,418 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $79,530. Set against $12,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #13 for value in general mathematics 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 general mathematics graduates is $26,154. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $55,586. That is a strong return on a $26,154 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
More General Mathematics Rankings
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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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.