2026 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 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
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in value in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Parkland College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Value graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $39,246. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,710. That is a strong return on a $13,266 median debt.
Fox College Inc is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tinley Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,670. Value graduates carry a median of $14,722 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Fox College Inc generally make around $36,853. That is a strong return on a $14,722 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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. Value graduates carry a median of $18,007 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $30,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
