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2026 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in Illinois

9 Colleges in the United States
$22,108 Avg Student Debt
$66,932 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Mathematics Badge [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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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

1

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.

2

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.

3

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%.

4

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.

5
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

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%.

6

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%.

7

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.

8

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%.

9
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

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.

10

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.

11

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.

12

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.

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

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.

View All General Mathematics Rankings >

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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