2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in Illinois
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value curriculum & instruction schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the curriculum & instruction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among curriculum & instruction schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,115. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes National Louis University one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $61,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at University Of St Francis, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $66,085. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Eastern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $49,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #7 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Lewis University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #9 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $67,571 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Aurora University earned the #10 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,507. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University came in at #11 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,797. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $62,530. That is a strong return on a $26,797 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $65,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #14 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Curriculum & Instruction Rankings
View All Curriculum & Instruction Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
