2026 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $61,014. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $59,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $51,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for value. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,209. Value graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $62,849 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Value graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $51,703. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
National Louis University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,242. Early-career value graduates make about $53,733. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $42,605. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $73,260. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $65,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
