2027 Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in Illinois
[Teacher Education Subject Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher education subject specific students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education subject specific, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools
For return on investment in teacher education subject specific, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for teacher education subject specific. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,194 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,835. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education subject specific schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $65,720. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education subject specific will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,182 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $51,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education subject specific schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $51,105. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Western Illinois University came in at #6 for value in teacher education subject specific this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for teacher education subject specific graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $50,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for teacher education subject specific value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $28,866 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $38,821 early in their careers. Set against $28,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education subject specific schools. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $59,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in teacher education subject specific this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $26,746 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $51,839. That is a strong return on a $26,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #10 among the best values for teacher education subject specific. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $77,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago placed #11 among the best values for teacher education subject specific. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $51,796. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Aurora University landed the #12 spot for teacher education subject specific value this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Illinois State University placed #13 among the best values for teacher education subject specific. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,149 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $50,102. Set against $24,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Trinity Christian College landed the #14 spot for teacher education subject specific value this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,605. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Trinity Christian College generally make around $44,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Vandercook College Of Music landed the #15 spot for teacher education subject specific value this year. Vandercook College Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $30,910. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Vandercook College Of Music generally make around $43,100. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Roosevelt University earned the #16 position for value in teacher education subject specific this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $50,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education subject specific schools. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $51,475. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Millikin University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education subject specific schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Typical student debt for teacher education subject specific graduates is $27,000. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Bradley University placed #19 among the best values for teacher education subject specific. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $42,917. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #20 spot for teacher education subject specific value this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $45,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Elmhurst College came in at #21 for value in teacher education subject specific this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for teacher education subject specific graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education subject specific degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $46,789. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Mckendree University earned the #22 position for value in teacher education subject specific this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,740. Typical student debt for teacher education subject specific graduates is $24,362. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $51,068. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Depaul University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education subject specific schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $26,910 to complete the teacher education subject specific program here. Early-career teacher education subject specific graduates make about $52,130. That is a strong return on a $26,910 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago placed #24 among the best values for teacher education subject specific. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $54,623. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Teacher Education Subject Specific graduates of School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earn a median of $56,302 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago admits about 78% of applicants.
More Teacher Education Subject Specific Rankings
View All Teacher Education Subject Specific Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
