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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education in Illinois

38 Ranked Colleges
5,348 Degrees Awarded
$16,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Master's in Illinois

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois master’s degree education students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education in Illinois

#1

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Concordia University, Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 844 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Education Report

#2

VanderCook College of Music

Chicago, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend VanderCook College of Music. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois. VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students list, VanderCook College of Music has also earned the #14 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 VanderCook College of Music are $7,730.

Read full report on Education at VanderCook College of Music

#3

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #3 spot on the 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.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois State University Education Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 278 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at UIUC

#5

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Olivet Nazarene University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 340 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Olivet Nazarene University are $13,393, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at Olivet Nazarene

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 296 students in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NIU Education Report

#7

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Greenville University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Greenville is located in Greenville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 51 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Greenville University are $8,082, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at Greenville University

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 164 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Eastern Illinois University Education Report

#9

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

National Louis University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 611 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students list, NLU has also earned the #13 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 NLU are $12,096.

Full National Louis University Education Report

#9

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Lake Forest is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 10 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lake Forest College are $14,896, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at Lake Forest

#11

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

University of St Francis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. University of St Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 226 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Francis are $13,839, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at University of Saint Francis

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 186 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students list, WIU has also earned the #24 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 Western Illinois University are $11,996.

Read more about Education at Western Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 280 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Education at Northeastern Illinois University

#14

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. This small school is located in Lebanon, Illinois, and it awarded 93 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at McKendree University are $9,324, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full McKendree Education Report

#15

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Lewis University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 129 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Lewis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis University are $14,780, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at Lewis

#16

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Aurora University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 156 masters’s education 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 are $13,200.

Read full report on Education at Aurora

#7 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 166 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIC Education Report

#18

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

North Park University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. North Park is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 52 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Park, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park are $14,076, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at North Park University

#19

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757.

Read more about Education at University of Illinois at Springfield

With a ranking of #20, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 84 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at SIUE

#21

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s education degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also took the #11 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 Wheaton College Illinois are $17,424.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Education Report

#22

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Bradley University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Bradley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 26 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bradley University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Bradley University Education Report

#23

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 77 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree education students list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #4 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 Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Full Loyola Chicago Education Report

#24

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Saint Xavier University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois list. Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 56 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at SXU are $15,450, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at Saint Xavier University

#23 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in Illinois ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 52 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #23 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Read full report on Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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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