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2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

52 Ranked Colleges
3,895 Degrees Awarded
$9,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 101,094 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, accounting is the 8th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, accounting graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $44,557 and had an average of $26,381 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 3,895 accounting graduates with average earnings and debt of $49,902 and $25,930 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 52 colleges that offered a degree in accounting. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent accounting programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the accounting program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Accounting (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 2 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $1,866 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Accounting at Northwestern University

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s accounting degrees to 374 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $5,477 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Accounting Report

#3

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Waubonsee Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Waubonsee is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Waubonsee, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $2,818 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Waubonsee Accounting Report

#4

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Elgin Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Elgin Community College is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Elgin Community College is $2,384 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Accounting at ECC

#5

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, William Rainey Harper College landed the #5 spot on the list. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 140 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $5,913 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harper College.

Read more about Accounting at Harper College

#6

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Triton College is a medium-sized school located in River Grove, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Triton College is $4,546 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Accounting at Triton College

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 113 ’s accounting degrees to qualified students.

SIUE also made our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $8,055 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Accounting at SIUE

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 208 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $10,648 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Accounting Report

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 268 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $15,281 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Accounting at NIU

#10

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lake Land College is a small public school situated in Mattoon, Illinois. It awarded 28 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,857 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Land College.

Read full report on Accounting at Lake Land College

#11

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $3,742 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Accounting at College of Lake County

#12

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. McHenry County College is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 ’s accounting degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend McHenry County College is $5,620 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Accounting at MCC

Lewis and Clark Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Godfrey, Illinois, and it awarded 49 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Lewis and Clark Community College is $2,719 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Accounting at Lewis and Clark Community College

#14

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois State University is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 220 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,470 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Accounting at Illinois State

#15

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Belleville, Illinois, and it awarded 12 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southwestern Illinois College is $5,506 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Accounting at SWIC

#16

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 94 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIS, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $9,771 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Read full report on Accounting at UIS

#17

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s accounting degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for GSU is $10,872 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full GSU Accounting Report

#18

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. SXU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,266 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SXU.

Read more about Accounting at SXU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 161 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $13,658 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SIUC Accounting Report

#20

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s accounting students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $12,350 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Accounting at EIU

#21

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rock Island, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s accounting degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.

Augustana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana College is $20,355 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Augustana College Accounting Report

#22

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Jacksonville, Illinois, and it awarded 19 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois College also made our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $11,376 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Accounting at Illinois College

#23

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Lewis is a medium-sized school located in Romeoville, Illinois that handed out 31 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lewis, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lewis is $12,821 for Illinois Accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Accounting at Lewis University

#23

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 ’s accounting degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Wesleyan, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Wesleyan University is $18,570 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Accounting at Illinois Wesleyan

#25

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Accounting Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 38 ’s accounting degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Accounting Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $16,903 for illinois accounting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elmhurst University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Accounting at Elmhurst

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Pixabay.

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