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2022 Best Value Colleges for Education in Illinois (With Aid)

52 Ranked Colleges
10,069 Degrees Awarded
$16,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

With 310,601 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. 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.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 52 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois education students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education in Illinois (With Aid)

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 528 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois education students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $15,880 for Illinois Education students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at UIUC

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 315 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois education students with aid list, UIC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,312 for illinois education students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at UIC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 330 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,945 for Illinois Education students with aid per year to attend SIUC.

Read full report on Education at SIUC

#4

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Augustine College landed the #4 spot on the list. Saint Augustine College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

St. Augustine College also made our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Augustine College is $12,193 for illinois education students with aid.

Read more about Education at St. Augustine College

#5

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Governors State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Governors State University is located in University Park, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,077 for Illinois Education students with aid per year to attend GSU.

Read more about Education at GSU

#6

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, University of St Francis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. University of St Francis is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 285 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Saint Francis is $17,538 for Illinois Education students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Saint Francis Education Report

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 335 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $14,607 for illinois education students with aid.

Read full report on Education at Eastern Illinois University

#8

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 528 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend NIU is $18,259 for illinois education students with aid.

Read full report on Education at NIU

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 41 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $12,477 for illinois education students with aid.

Read more about Education at University of Illinois at Springfield

#10

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. NLU is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 922 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,957 for illinois education students with aid per year to attend NLU.

Full NLU Education Report

#11

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Xavier University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 95 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Xavier University is $14,528 for Illinois Education students with aid.

Full Saint Xavier University Education Report

#12

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. CSU is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 64 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSU is $11,733 for illinois education students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full CSU Education Report

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 351 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,843 for Illinois Education students with aid per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Education Report

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 225 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,423 for Illinois Education students with aid.

Read more about Education at SIUE

#15

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 945 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $20,895 for illinois education students with aid per year to attend Illinois State.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Illinois State

#16

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 282 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $16,210 for illinois education students with aid.

Full Western Illinois University Education Report

#17

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois

Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 101 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rasmussen University - Illinois, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Illinois is $18,744 for Illinois Education students with aid.

Read full report on Education at Rasmussen University - Illinois

#18

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Aurora University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Aurora University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 251 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #23 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aurora University is $17,215 for Illinois Education students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Aurora

#19

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 1,023 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $16,512 for illinois education students with aid.

Read full report on Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#20

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Judson University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Judson is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 26 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,737 for Illinois Education students with aid per year to attend Judson University.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Education at Judson University

#21

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 516 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $20,195 for illinois education students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Olivet Nazarene Education Report

#22

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 222 students in 2019-2020.

Lewis also made our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Lewis University is $18,664 for Illinois Education students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Lewis University

#23

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 106 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $24,664 for Illinois Education students with aid per year to attend Northwestern University.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Northwestern University Education Report

#24

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 70 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dominican U, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican U is $19,268 for illinois education students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Education at Dominican University

#25

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Millikin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 62 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millikin, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millikin University is $21,331 for illinois education students with aid.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Education at Millikin University

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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