2026 Best Value Mathematics & Statistics Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mathematics & statistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mathematics & Statistics Schools
Leading the list is Western Illinois University, our #1 best value for mathematics & statistics 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. Mathematics & Statistics graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & statistics degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #2 place for mathematics & statistics. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & statistics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for mathematics & statistics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Mathematics & Statistics graduates carry a median of $22,945 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & statistics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,296. That is a strong return on a $22,945 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for mathematics & statistics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. 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 $20,400 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Early-career mathematics & statistics graduates make about $58,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & statistics schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Early-career mathematics & statistics graduates make about $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Dominican University placed #6 among the best values for mathematics & statistics. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Early-career mathematics & statistics graduates make about $45,546. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in mathematics & statistics this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Mathematics & Statistics graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. Set against $25,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #8 among the best values for mathematics & statistics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Mathematics & Statistics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $100,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Aurora University earned the #9 position for value in mathematics & statistics this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Mathematics & Statistics graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics & statistics degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in mathematics & statistics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & statistics degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #11 for value in mathematics & statistics this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $20,309 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & statistics degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $52,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & statistics schools. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics & statistics degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University earned the #13 position for value in mathematics & statistics this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $12,905 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Early-career mathematics & statistics graduates make about $84,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics & statistics schools. Depaul University 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 $45,405. Students borrow a median of $26,154 to complete the mathematics & statistics program here. Mathematics & Statistics graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $75,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[Mathematics & Statistics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
