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2026 Best Value Mathematics Schools in Illinois

9 Colleges in the United States
$22,108 Avg Student Debt
$66,932 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mathematics Badge [Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mathematics education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for mathematics students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Mathematics Schools in Illinois

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

Best Value Mathematics Schools

1

Western Illinois University earned the #1 spot for value among mathematics schools in Illinois. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in mathematics will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

3

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $54,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,847 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $48,728. That is a strong return on a $20,847 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.

6

Northern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for mathematics. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $44,857. Set against $25,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

7

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #7 for value in mathematics this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $24,925. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

8

University Of Chicago ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $12,000. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $100,421. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

9
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.

10

Illinois State University placed #10 among the best values for mathematics. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $20,309 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $52,597 early in their careers. Set against $20,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

11

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #11 for value in mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $23,292. Mathematics graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

12

Northwestern University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $12,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $79,530. That is a strong return on a $12,418 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #13 among the best values for mathematics. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,154 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 48 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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