by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Elgin Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value education schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,727. Education graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,080. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $59,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #4 place for education. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $50,908. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Harper College, which ranked #5. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Xavier University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,512 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $47,850 early in their careers. Set against $27,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College placed #7 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,458. Early-career education graduates make about $27,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dominican University came in at #8 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Governors State University earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Education graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $62,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis placed #10 among the best values for education. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,642. Early-career education graduates make about $61,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #11 spot for education value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $51,546. That is a strong return on a $20,876 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #12 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for education graduates is $42,172. Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $56,656 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,723 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $44,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Northern Illinois University landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,723. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $51,960. Set against $25,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Western Illinois University earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,664. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $55,232. Set against $25,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,537. Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $50,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #17 position for value in education 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, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,098 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $69,243. That is a strong return on a $24,098 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Chicago State University landed the #18 spot for education value this year. 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, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $53,774 in student loans. Education graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Lewis University landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,377 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,360. Early-career education graduates make about $46,252. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #21 for value in education this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,262. Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $43,016 early in their careers. Set against $22,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Illinois College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,676. Education graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Concordia University Chicago placed #23 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,552 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $65,603. That is a strong return on a $26,552 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University placed #24 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,197. Early-career education graduates make about $74,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Illinois State University landed the #25 spot for education value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,372 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $50,367. Set against $23,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.