2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in Illinois
[Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong kindergarten/preschool education & teaching education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools.
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2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
Leading the list is Eastern Illinois University, our #1 best value for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in Illinois. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $22,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $41,582. Set against $22,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes North Park University one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $27,360. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $46,168. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Olivet Nazarene University one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,951 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $44,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Loyola University Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
