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2027 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools in Illinois

3 Colleges in the United States
$21,936 Avg Student Debt
$58,589 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Badge [Urban Education & Leadership](/majors/education/educational-administration/urban-education-and-leadership/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong urban education & leadership education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban education & leadership students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban education & leadership degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for urban education & leadership in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

Northeastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban education & leadership, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $82,842. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

3
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL

A rank of #3 makes Rockford College one of the best values for urban education & leadership. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Students from in state pay about $37,780 in tuition and fees. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $73,751. Set against $28,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rockford College admits about 93% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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