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2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

23 Ranked Colleges
901 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 31,150 people earned their degree in general economics, making the major the 22nd most popular in the United States.

Across Illinois, there were 901 general economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general economics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Economics Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for General Economics (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $1,866 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at Northwestern University

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 436 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $5,477 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Economics at UIUC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 111 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $10,648 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at UIC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 9 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,055 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Economics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s general economics students in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $9,771 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Economics at UIS

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 30 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $15,281 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northern Illinois University General Economics Report

#7

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois State is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,470 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois State.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Illinois State University General Economics Report

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $12,350 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Economics at EIU

With a ranking of #9, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 23 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $13,658 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SIUC.

Read more about General Economics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#10

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Jacksonville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s general economics students in 2019-2020.

Illinois College also made our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois College is $11,376 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Illinois College General Economics Report

#11

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $13,942 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Economics at WIU

#12

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Bloomington, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Wesleyan is $18,570 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at Illinois Wesleyan

#13

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and it awarded 11 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also made our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $16,903 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elmhurst.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at Elmhurst University

#14

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified ’s general economics students in 2019-2020.

Augustana not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Augustana College is $20,355 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at Augustana College

#15

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s general economics students in 2019-2020.

Bradley also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $17,205 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Bradley University General Economics Report

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 17 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $14,816 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northeastern Illinois University General Economics Report

#17

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 6 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,060 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dominican U.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about General Economics at Dominican University

#18

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Olivet Nazarene is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 33 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $15,806 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Economics at Olivet Nazarene

#19

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s general economics students in 2019-2020.

McKendree did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,184 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend McKendree.

Full McKendree General Economics Report

#20

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Central is a private not-for-profit institution located in Naperville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $18,889 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central General Economics Report

#21

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Roosevelt is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 ’s general economics degrees to qualified students.

Roosevelt also made our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt University is $20,398 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Economics at Roosevelt

#22

Rockford University

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Rockford University is a small school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 1 ’s general economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Rockford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Rockford is $21,868 for Illinois General Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Economics at Rockford University

#23

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general economics degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DePaul, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul is $26,173 for illinois general economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Economics at DePaul

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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