2027 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in Illinois
[Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/emergency-medical-technology-technician-emt-paramedic/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) students.
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2027 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $12,355 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $57,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $7,769. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $8,099. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $55,739. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $9,602. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Students borrow a median of $8,347 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $42,425. That is a strong return on a $8,347 median debt.
Triton College earned the #7 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $14,285 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Triton College earn a median of $62,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,285 median debt.
Richland Community College earned the #8 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,542 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #9 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $14,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $52,750. Set against $14,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College came in at #10 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $50,290. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
Kankakee Community College earned the #11 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $10,418. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $54,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College earned the #12 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $13,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $35,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Rock Valley College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $9,236. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Elgin Community College placed #15 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College placed #16 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $12,924. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $46,222. That is a strong return on a $12,924 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #18 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,349 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $58,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $55,060. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College placed #21 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $48,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #22 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,860 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $57,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #23 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $13,842. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $64,778. Set against $13,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College came in at #25 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $56,637 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
