by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/digital-marketing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of Dupage, our #1 best value for value in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,492. Value graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $69,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Aurora University earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Value graduates carry a median of $22,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $39,482. Set against $22,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Mckendree University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. In-state tuition and fees average $34,740. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,949. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $51,068. Set against $25,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.