2027 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in Illinois

[General Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/general-mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general mathematics schools.
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2027 Best Value General Mathematics Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mathematics Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among general mathematics schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Dominican University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general mathematics will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $12,000. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $100,421 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $20,847. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $48,728. Set against $20,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for general mathematics. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $25,044. General Mathematics graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $23,917. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Lewis University came in at #7 for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $55,718. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Aurora University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,309 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $52,597. Set against $20,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $23,292. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $43,654. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois Wesleyan University earned the #11 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,704. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $50,808. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University earned the #12 position for value in general mathematics this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $12,418 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $79,530. Set against $12,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $26,154. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,586. Set against $26,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #14 spot for general mathematics value this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $23,521. General Mathematics graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.