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