by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Illinois? We have ranked 85 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 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 85 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Our analysis looked at 85 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:
Leading the list is Carl Sandburg College, our #1 best value 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.
Out of the 85 schools in Illinois in this year's value ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #2 spot. 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.
Out of the 85 schools in Illinois in this year's value ranking, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College landed the #3 spot. 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.
You'll get strong value at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Lake Land College, which ranked #5 this year. 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.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. 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.
Danville Area Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. 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.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. 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.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #9 among the best values in Illinois. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a public school based in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. The median program debt is $11,533. Median earnings reach $36,531 ten years out. Set against $11,533 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.
Harper College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Palatine, IL, Harper College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. The median program debt is $10,963. Harper College alumni report median earnings of $48,071 a decade after entry. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt is $12,272. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College landed the #13 spot for value in Illinois this year. 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.
Triton College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. 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.
College Of Dupage offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. 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.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #16 spot for value in Illinois this year. 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.
Kankakee Community College placed #17 among the best values in Illinois. 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.
Oakton Community College placed #18 among the best values in Illinois. 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.
College Of Lake County placed #19 among the best values in Illinois. 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.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Sugar Grove, IL, Waubonsee Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Waubonsee Community College students take on a median of $9,939 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,788 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
South Suburban College landed the #21 spot for value in Illinois this year. 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.
Highland Community College Freeport landed the #22 spot for value in Illinois this year. 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.
Richland Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $36,484 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College landed the #25 spot for value in Illinois this year. Shawnee Community College is a public school based in Ullin, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt is $11,162. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 85 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.