2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Illinois

[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for higher education/higher education administration students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among higher education/higher education administration schools in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,834. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at National Louis University, which ranked #2. 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 higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $87,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $63,264. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $43,161. That is a strong return on a $23,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $46,568. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $91,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College landed the #7 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $81,014. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. North Central College admits about 77% of applicants.
Mckendree University placed #8 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,740. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $51,068 early in their careers. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants.
Northwestern University landed the #9 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $60,945. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #10 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,521. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $55,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
More Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings
View All Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings >
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.