Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for Early Childhood Education (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

26 Ranked Colleges
790 Degrees Awarded
$15,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Early Childhood Education is the 34th most popular major in the country with 31,017 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across Illinois, there were 790 early childhood education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in early childhood education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality early childhood 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 early childhood education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Early Childhood Education Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Early Childhood Education (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $5,477 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at UIUC

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #2 spot on the list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

SIUE also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $8,055 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $10,648 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIC.

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%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Early Childhood Education Report

#4

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s child development degrees to 63 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $14,470 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Full Illinois State University Early Childhood Education Report

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k list, NIU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Illinois University is $15,281 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Northern Illinois University

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 4 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Xavier University is $11,266 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Saint Xavier University

#7

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 19 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

GSU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $10,872 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Governors State University.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at GSU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for SIUC is $13,658 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Early Childhood Education Report

#9

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 10 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst University is $16,903 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Elmhurst University Early Childhood Education Report

#10

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. NLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 189 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NLU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,178 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend National Louis University.

Full National Louis University Early Childhood Education Report

#11

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Decatur, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Millikin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $17,656 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Millikin.

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 Early Childhood Education at Millikin

#12

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bradley University is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $17,205 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Bradley University

#13

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Augustine College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 42 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Augustine College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Augustine College is $11,691 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Saint Augustine College

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $14,816 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Northeastern Illinois University

#15

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,097 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#16

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Quincy University is a small school located in Quincy, Illinois that handed out 3 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Quincy U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,292 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Quincy University.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Quincy U

#17

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Park is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

North Park also took the #16 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Park is $17,808 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

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.

Full North Park University Early Childhood Education Report

#18

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois

Rasmussen University - Illinois landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rasmussen University - Illinois is located in Rockford, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 101 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k list, Rasmussen University - Illinois has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rasmussen University - Illinois is $18,005 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Rasmussen University - Illinois Early Childhood Education Report

#19

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 3 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene also took the #19 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $15,806 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Early Childhood Education at Olivet Nazarene

#20

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSU is $11,507 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Chicago State University Early Childhood Education Report

#21

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Judson University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 3 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Judson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Judson is $14,154 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Judson

#22

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Chicago is $27,120 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Columbia College Chicago Early Childhood Education Report

#23

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $20,398 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Roosevelt University.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Roosevelt University

#24

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola University Chicago is $29,440 for illinois child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola University Chicago Early Childhood Education Report

#25

Rockford University

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rockford is a small school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 5 ’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Rockford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $21,868 for Illinois Child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Rockford University.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Rockford Early Childhood Education Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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 Vgrigas.

Featured Teacher Education Schools

Find Schools Near You