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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

42 Ranked Colleges
5,348 Degrees Awarded
$20,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 310,601 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 10,069 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,178 and $28,378 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,348 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 42 colleges that offered a degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois master’s degree education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 74 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 37 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at UChicago

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 278 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Education at UIUC

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 166 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036.

Read more about Education at UIC

#5

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of St Francis. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 226 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Francis are $13,839.

Read full report on Education at University of St Francis

#6

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 164 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761.

Read more about Education at EIU

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. UIS is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIS Education Report

#8

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 296 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Read full report on Education at NIU

#9

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 340 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene are $13,393.

Read full report on Education at Olivet Nazarene

#10

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Aurora University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 156 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200.

Read more about Education at Aurora

#11

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Saint Xavier University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Xavier University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 56 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SXU are $15,450, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at SXU

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 84 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Full SIUE Education Report

#13

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 844 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378.

Read full report on Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#14

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Lewis University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Romeoville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 129 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Lewis has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis University are $14,780.

Read more about Education at Lewis University

#15

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. GSU is a small public school situated in University Park, Illinois. It awarded 23 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at GSU

#16

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Judson University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Judson University is located in Elgin, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Judson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Judson University are $18,900.

Read more about Education at Judson

#23 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 52 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #23 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#18

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

National Louis University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. NLU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 611 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

NLU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NLU are $12,096, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at National Louis University

#19

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Western Illinois University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 186 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students whose families make $48-$75k list, WIU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at WIU

#20

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Lake Forest is located in Lake Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Lake Forest also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lake Forest are $14,896.

Full Lake Forest College Education Report

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 280 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at Northeastern Illinois University

#22

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 25 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wheaton College Illinois are $17,424.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Education Report

#23

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 145 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Illinois State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069.

Full Illinois State University Education Report

#24

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Dominican U is a small school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 57 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Dominican U are $20,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at Dominican University

#25

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Elmhurst University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 14 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Elmhurst has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Elmhurst University are $32,300.

Read more about Education at Elmhurst

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

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