2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College the best value for a degree in engineering in Illinois. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,500. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harper College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Lake County earned it the #5 place for engineering. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,785. Early-career engineering graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Elgin Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,236. Engineering graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,586 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $74,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,628 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $88,357. That is a strong return on a $20,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $54,165. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Western Illinois University landed the #13 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $66,112. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $24,698 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $74,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,698 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,142. Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $69,480 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,933 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $66,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #17 position for value in engineering this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,854. Early-career engineering graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #18 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,201. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #19 for value in engineering this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $66,394. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College came in at #20 for value in engineering 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. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,699. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University came in at #21 for value in engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,978. Engineering graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $72,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,978 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #22 for value in engineering this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,292. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #23 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,567. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $87,403. Set against $16,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University came in at #24 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $121,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Devry University Illinois came in at #25 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,008. Students borrow a median of $43,684 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Devry University Illinois generally make around $55,470. That is a strong return on a $43,684 median debt. Devry University Illinois admits about 98% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
