2027 Best Value Project Management Schools in Illinois

[Project Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/project-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong project management education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value project management schools.
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2027 Best Value Project Management Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in project management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Project Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Judson University the best value for a degree in project management in Illinois. Located in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the project management program here. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Judson University generally make around $47,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Illinois State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value project management schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the project management program here. Early-career project management graduates make about $68,181. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Roosevelt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in project management, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Project Management graduates carry a median of $20,300 in student loans. Project Management graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,300 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in project management will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #4. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the project management program here. Early-career project management graduates make about $55,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in project management will find it at Benedictine University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,648. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $25,000. Early-career project management graduates make about $65,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College landed the #6 spot for project management value this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the project management program here. Early-career project management graduates make about $62,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.