2026 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois
[Value](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/comedy-writing-and-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Columbia College Chicago the best value for a degree in value in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,977 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $17,929. Set against $26,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Value graduates carry a median of $26,348 in student loans. Value graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $23,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,348 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
