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2022 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

44 Ranked Colleges
1,523 Degrees Awarded
$13,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Elementary Education is the 19th most popular major in the country with 40,622 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across Illinois, there were 1,523 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree in elementary education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality elementary 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 elementary education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The elementary teaching 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 Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 37 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,800 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, 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 100%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full UChicago Elementary Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 71 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $8,464 for illinois elementary teaching 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 full report on Elementary Education at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 57 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $11,185 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k 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 UIC Elementary Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $9,938 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at SIUE

#5

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Illinois University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $11,316 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at EIU

#6

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 255 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,999 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Illinois State

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 61 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k list, NIU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $15,861 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Elementary Education at NIU

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Illinois at Springfield is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $8,323 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UIS

#9

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for GSU is $12,046 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Governors State University

With a ranking of #10, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 38 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,306 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#11

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 28 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Xavier University is $11,962 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Saint Xavier University

#12

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora is $13,845 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Elementary Education at Aurora University

#13

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Saint Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 11 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $11,229 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of St Francis.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of St Francis

#14

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Knox College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and it awarded 11 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k list, Knox has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,186 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Knox.

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. The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Knox

#15

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 74 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $14,526 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at WIU

#16

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. NLU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 143 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NLU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,403 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend National Louis University.

Read full report on Elementary Education at NLU

#17

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lewis has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lewis University is $13,377 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Lewis

#18

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 28 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also took the #4 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $16,212 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. 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. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Elementary Education Report

#19

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois College is a small school located in Jacksonville, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,454 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois College.

Full Illinois College Elementary Education Report

#20

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Lake Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $19,152 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lake Forest College.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Elementary Education at Lake Forest College

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 46 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Northeastern Illinois University

#22

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $17,586 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Dominican University Elementary Education Report

#23

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $15,406 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#24

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decatur, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $17,692 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Millikin 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.

Full Millikin Elementary Education Report

#25

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bradley is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 43 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Bradley also took the #9 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $18,232 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Elementary Education at Bradley 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 Vgrigas.

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