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2022 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

44 Ranked Colleges
1,523 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 40,622 people earned their degree in elementary education, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States.

Across Illinois, there were 1,523 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 44 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in elementary education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality elementary education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the elementary education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Elementary Education Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $7,934 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Chicago.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at UChicago

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 71 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $13,351 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIUC Elementary Education Report

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 57 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $13,683 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Elementary Education Report

#4

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Illinois University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. EIU is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $13,560 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Full Eastern Illinois University Elementary Education Report

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,346 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NIU.

Full Northern Illinois University Elementary Education Report

#6

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 28 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,691 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Elementary Education at Wheaton College Illinois

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 60 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $13,705 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 38 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $14,985 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 255 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $19,080 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State University Elementary Education Report

#10

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $11,857 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Elementary Education at UIS

#11

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Aurora University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 31 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora is $15,881 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Aurora University

#12

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SXU is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 28 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $14,907 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full SXU Elementary Education Report

#13

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. National Louis University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 143 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k list, NLU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NLU is $16,888 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full NLU Elementary Education Report

#14

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Judson University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Judson is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Judson University is $15,971 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Judson

#15

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Lewis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lewis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Romeoville, Illinois. It awarded 49 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Lewis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Lewis University is $16,489 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Lewis University

#16

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. GSU is a small public school situated in University Park, Illinois. It awarded 21 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Governors State University is $11,872 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Elementary Education at GSU

#17

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Francis is $14,220 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Saint Francis Elementary Education Report

#18

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k list, Millikin has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $20,390 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Millikin University

#19

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 17 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,295 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Read more about Elementary Education at Concordia University, Chicago

#20

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana College is $21,453 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Augustana Elementary Education Report

#21

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,912 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WIU.

Full Western Illinois University Elementary Education Report

#22

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Quincy University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Quincy, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,717 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Quincy U.

Full Quincy U Elementary Education Report

#23

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $24,683 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Lake Forest College.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Lake Forest College

#24

Monmouth College

Monmouth, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Monmouth College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Monmouth, Illinois, and it awarded 6 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Monmouth is $15,960 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Elementary Education at Monmouth

#25

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Knox, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Knox College is $19,653 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Knox College

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Vgrigas.

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