2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Illinois

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College tops our 2027 list of the best value general education schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. General Education graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $27,158 early in their careers. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for general education. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,778. General Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $62,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

4

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for general education. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $50,338. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

5

North Park University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at North Park University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,360. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

6

Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College placed #6 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,676. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Set against $26,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

7

Greenville College
Greenville, IL

Greenville College came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,200. Students borrow a median of $25,933 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Greenville College generally make around $36,911. That is a strong return on a $25,933 median debt. Greenville College admits about 98% of applicants.

8

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Students borrow a median of $26,691 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.

9

Mckendree University
Lebanon, IL

Mckendree University came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,740. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,362. General Education graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $50,945 early in their careers. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

10

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.