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2027 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in Illinois

8 Colleges in the United States
$23,010 Avg Student Debt
$69,518 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Electrical Engineering Badge [Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for electrical engineering students.

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2027 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the electrical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $83,287. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,600 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $99,772. That is a strong return on a $21,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #3 place for electrical engineering. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $68,670 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

4

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $74,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

5

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $25,113 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $79,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,113 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

6

Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $69,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

7

Bradley University came in at #7 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $76,475. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

8

Northwestern University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Electrical Engineering 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%.

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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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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