by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Value graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Parkland College, which ranked #2. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,168. Value graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $39,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Heartland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,266. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox College Inc came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,670 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,722. Value graduates of Fox College Inc earn a median of $36,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earned it the #5 place for value. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,699. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,356. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College generally make around $31,807. That is a strong return on a $21,356 median debt.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.