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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois

13 Colleges in the United States
$22,100 Avg Student Debt
$66,829 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Economics Badge [General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) 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 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general economics schools.

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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Economics Schools

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value general economics 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,002. General Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $37,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for general economics. 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. General Economics graduates carry a median of $13,197 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $92,075. Set against $13,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3

Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,228. General Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $58,921 early in their careers. Set against $21,228 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for general economics. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,879 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $45,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

5

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $25,049 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $37,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

6

Northeastern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,600. General Economics graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,004 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

7

Illinois State University landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $44,015. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $54,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

9
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #9 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Students borrow a median of $26,801 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of North Central College earn a median of $52,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Central College admits about 77% of applicants.

10

Mckendree University landed the #10 spot for general economics value this year. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,068. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

11

Northwestern University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,227 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $78,551. Set against $16,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

12
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #12 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $22,433 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $53,417 early in their careers. Set against $22,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

13

Loyola University Chicago landed the #13 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

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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 · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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