2027 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in Illinois
[Systems Science & Theory](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/systems-science-theory/systems-science-and-theory/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value systems science & theory schools.
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2027 Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in systems science & theory, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Systems Science & Theory Schools
Leading the list is Eastern Illinois University, our #1 best value for systems science & theory in Illinois. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the systems science & theory program here. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value systems science & theory schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $20,600 in student loans. Early-career systems science & theory graduates make about $35,239. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in systems science & theory, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Systems Science & Theory graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, systems science & theory degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
