2027 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois
[Value](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/ethnic-cultural-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Value graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $33,366. That is a strong return on a $19,448 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Value graduates carry a median of $23,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $32,856. Set against $23,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,614. Value graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Northwestern University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $39,012. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. 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. 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
