2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
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2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
For return on investment in economics, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $19,002 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $37,767. Set against $19,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,879 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,386. Set against $25,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,228. Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $58,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Western Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,639. Economics graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for economics. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,917. Economics graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,197 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $92,075. That is a strong return on a $13,197 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #7 spot for economics value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,049. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $37,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois State University placed #8 among the best values for economics. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #9 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $54,169 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #10 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $62,889. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,227 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $84,932. Set against $16,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Forest College placed #12 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,402. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $53,529. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #13 among the best values for economics. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $53,417. Set against $22,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #14 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
