2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in Illinois
[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools.
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2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general educational leadership & administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
Governors State University tops our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools in Illinois. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $80,009. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #2 place for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $60,442. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in general educational leadership & administration will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $113,839. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $63,264. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $43,322. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #6 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $17,600. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $82,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #7 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. 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. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,917. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $46,568. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Eastern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $67,396. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
National Louis University came in at #9 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $87,412. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of St Francis landed the #10 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $25,695. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $88,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Concordia University Chicago placed #11 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $26,956. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $91,059. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #12 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,730. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $43,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
North Park University placed #13 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $27,360. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Lewis University placed #14 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Aurora University earned the #15 position for value in general educational leadership & administration 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 general educational leadership & administration graduates is $24,507. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $90,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University landed the #16 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $89,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University earned the #17 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,879. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $100,024. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
North Central College earned the #18 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $81,014. Set against $25,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Northwestern University earned the #19 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $16,616. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #20 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $25,310. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $68,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #21 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $55,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
