by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Illinois? We have ranked 177 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 177 schools to build this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Jump to a Section:
Our analysis looked at 177 schools in Illinois to determine which deliver the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. Read more about our methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Illinois. This public school is set in Joliet, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt is $11,995. Joliet Junior College alumni report median earnings of $42,889 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #2 place in Illinois. Set in Oglesby, IL, Illinois Valley Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. The median program debt is $8,099. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,810. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lake Land College one of the best values in Illinois. This public school is set in Mattoon, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Lake Land College students take on a median of $7,769 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Lewis And Clark Community College students take on a median of $9,602 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Trinity International University Illinois, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Deerfield, IL, Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,320 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,989. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Moraine Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Moraine Valley Community College is a public school based in Palos Hills, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. The median program debt is $11,149. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,892 ten years after entry. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College placed #7 among the best values in Illinois. Based in Galesburg, IL, Carl Sandburg College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $8,604. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,274. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Des Plaines, IL, Oakton Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,852 ten years after entry. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #9 among the best values in Illinois. Located in Springfield, IL, Lincoln Land Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Lincoln Land Community College students take on a median of $11,272 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,479. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College landed the #10 spot for value in Illinois this year. Set in Elgin, IL, Elgin Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,516 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in River Grove, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. The median program debt is $12,994. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,728 ten years after entry. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College placed #12 among the best values in Illinois. Richland Community College is a public school based in Decatur, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Richland Community College students take on a median of $9,562 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,793. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Rock Valley College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Rockford, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,158 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Kankakee Community College landed the #14 spot for value in Illinois this year. Set in Kankakee, IL, Kankakee Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. The median program debt is $13,289. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,767 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Danville, IL, Danville Area Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Danville Area Community College students take on a median of $9,470 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,867. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spoon River College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Canton, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,090, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Spoon River College alumni report median earnings of $38,386 a decade after entry.
College Of Dupage came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. College Of Dupage is a public school based in Glen Ellyn, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt is $12,492. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,909. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Grayslake, IL, College Of Lake County is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete their program here. College Of Lake County alumni report median earnings of $43,424 a decade after entry. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Malta, IL, Kishwaukee College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Kishwaukee College alumni report median earnings of $39,657 a decade after entry. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Suburban College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in South Holland, IL, South Suburban College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Students borrow a median of $7,904 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,680 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. The median program debt is $8,093. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College alumni report median earnings of $41,625 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Mchenry County College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Crystal Lake, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Mchenry County College students take on a median of $7,440 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,143 ten years out. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Freeport, IL. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,928 ten years out. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College placed #24 among the best values in Illinois. Set in Chicago Heights, IL, Prairie State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,696. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morton College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Morton College is a public school based in Cicero, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Students borrow a median of $7,734 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,406 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,734 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 177 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 177 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.