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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Early Childhood Education (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

23 Ranked Colleges
404 Degrees Awarded
$16,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor's in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 31,017 people earned their degree in early childhood education, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States.

Across Illinois, there were 790 early childhood education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 404 early childhood education graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,319 and $24,183 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in early childhood education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great early childhood education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the early childhood education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Early Childhood Education Schools

The child development school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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 for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Early Childhood Education (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1 in overall quality

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 Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s child development students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIUC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,464 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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

#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. SIUE is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUE has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $9,938 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SIUE.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at SIUE

#3

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Illinois State is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 63 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, Illinois State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,999 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Illinois State University

#4

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s child development degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $15,861 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NIU Early Childhood Education Report

#5

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Xavier University landed the #5 spot on the list. SXU is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 bachelors’s child development degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, SXU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $11,962 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at SXU

#6

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Governors State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GSU is a small public school situated in University Park, Illinois. It awarded 19 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GSU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $12,046 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Governors State University

#9 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 bachelors’s child development degrees to qualified students.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,306 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at SIUC

#8

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, National Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s child development degrees to 132 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, NLU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NLU is $14,403 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NLU Early Childhood Education Report

#14 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 12 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Early Childhood Education Report

#10

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Elmhurst University is a small school located in Elmhurst, Illinois that handed out 10 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also took the #5 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst is $17,837 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Elmhurst University

#11

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $15,406 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Early Childhood Education Report

#12

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Millikin University is located in Decatur, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s child development degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, Millikin has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millikin is $17,692 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

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.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Millikin University

#13

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Bradley University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bradley University is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Bradley also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $18,232 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bradley University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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 86%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Bradley University

#14

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

North Park University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. North Park is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

North Park also took the #10 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,270 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Park University.

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 North Park University

#15

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Olivet Nazarene is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 3 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene also took the #15 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $15,390 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene University.

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 Olivet Nazarene University Early Childhood Education Report

#16

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Quincy University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Quincy U is a small school located in Quincy, Illinois that handed out 3 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Quincy U, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Quincy University is $17,518 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Quincy University Early Childhood Education Report

#17

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Chicago State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified bachelors’s child development students in 2019-2020.

CSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $11,844 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSU.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 Chicago State University

#18

Rockford University

Rockford, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Rockford University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rockford University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rockford, Illinois. It awarded 5 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Rockford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $20,380 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rockford University.

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 Rockford

#19

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s child development degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Roosevelt also took the #22 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt is $20,330 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Roosevelt University

#20

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Columbia College Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s child development degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $27,397 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia College Chicago.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Columbia

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified bachelors’s child development students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #3 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Chicago is $29,788 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Loyola University Chicago

#22

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Judson University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Judson also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Judson is $16,017 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

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.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Judson University

#23

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

DePaul University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s child development degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

DePaul also took the #6 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul University is $25,842 for illinois bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full DePaul Early Childhood Education Report

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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 Vgrigas.

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