2027 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in Illinois

[Business, Management & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 84 schools to find the best return on investment for business, management & marketing students.
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2027 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business, management & marketing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among business, management & marketing schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $39,887. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in business, management & marketing will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $6,388 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $42,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business, management & marketing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $11,149. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #5 place for business, management & marketing. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $8,099. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Richland Community College earned the #6 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College placed #7 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College earned the #8 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College placed #9 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College landed the #10 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College earned the #11 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $9,470. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College landed the #13 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $46,384. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. 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 business, management & marketing graduates is $14,227. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $47,200. That is a strong return on a $14,227 median debt.
Kaskaskia College came in at #16 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #17 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $7,440. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #18 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #19 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $45,261. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John A Logan College placed #20 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $10,479. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #21 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $19,856. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $72,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,856 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #22 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $7,500. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #23 among the best values for business, management & marketing. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,902 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $59,262 early in their careers. Set against $24,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Sauk Valley Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,340, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $12,811. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College came in at #25 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in business, management & marketing:
More Business, Management & Marketing Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.