2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Illinois
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
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2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Springfield, our #1 best value for secondary education in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,458. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Students borrow a median of $29,854 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,526. Set against $29,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dominican University earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,924. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $50,601. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,612. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $51,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. 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 $22,075 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,582. That is a strong return on a $22,075 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $42,172. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $47,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Chicago State University came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $53,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $53,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
North Park University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,168. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $46,503. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,197 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $54,551. That is a strong return on a $24,197 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Roosevelt University landed the #12 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $56,418. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Greenville College landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,200. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $22,103 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $36,911. That is a strong return on a $22,103 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
North Central College came in at #14 for value in secondary education this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,247. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Benedictine University landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rockford College came in at #16 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,780. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,867. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rockford College admits about 93% of applicants.
Bradley University landed the #17 spot for secondary education value this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Elmhurst College placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Students borrow a median of $24,064 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Knox College came in at #19 for value in secondary education this year. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,903. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $41,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #20 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University earned the #21 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University earned the #22 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $49,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,000. Secondary Education graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $61,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
More Secondary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
