2026 Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools in Illinois
[Engineering & Applied Physics](/majors/engineering/engineering-physics/engineering-applied-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering & applied physics students.
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2026 Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering & applied physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools
For return on investment in engineering & applied physics, no school beat University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for engineering & applied physics graduates is $20,136. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $64,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Augustana College Illinois is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering & applied physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $54,165. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
More Engineering & Applied Physics Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
