2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Illinois

[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
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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.
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.
- 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.