2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in Illinois

[Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for applied mathematics students.
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Featured Applied Mathematics Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Mathematics
If you have a knack for mathematics and an interest in learning more, study online to achieve your career goals at Southern New Hampshire University. Our mathematics degree can help you enhance your mathematical abilities, including reasoning and problem-solving in three areas: analysis, algebra and statistics.
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BA in Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Put mathematical concepts to work to solve today's most complex real-world problems by studying applied mathematics with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for applied mathematics. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for applied mathematics. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Illinois Institute Of Technology one of the best values for applied mathematics. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $26,774. Applied Mathematics graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #6 for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $94,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #7 among the best values for applied mathematics. 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. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $81,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.