2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Illinois
[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong educational administration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value educational administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for educational administration in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,834. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #2 place for educational administration. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,925. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $60,442. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $80,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $29,242. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $87,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the best values for educational administration. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $67,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Western Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $27,639. Educational Administration graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $113,839 early in their careers. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of St Francis came in at #7 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $88,450. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University placed #8 among the best values for educational administration. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for educational administration. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $63,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #10 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $82,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot for educational administration value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $43,161 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #12 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,917. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $46,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #13 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #14 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $91,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Aurora University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,507. Educational Administration graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $90,978 early in their careers. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #16 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $89,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
North Central College came in at #17 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $81,014. Set against $25,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Central College admits about 77% of applicants.
Rockford College earned the #18 position for value in educational administration this year. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,780. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $73,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bradley University earned the #19 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $58,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,740 in tuition and fees. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $57,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northwestern University landed the #21 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $60,945 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #22 position for value in educational administration this year. 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. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,340. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $68,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #23 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $55,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
More Educational Administration Rankings
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
