2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k
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With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.
Across Illinois, there were 2,106 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $49,350 and $22,044 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent economics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois
Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 525 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $7,934 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 392 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $6,452 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 581 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $13,351 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on Economics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #4 spot on the list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIS has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,857 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wheaton College Illinois. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wheaton, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $19,691 for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 128 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $13,683 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.
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%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 9 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $13,705 for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Economics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Eastern Illinois University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 14 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, EIU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $13,560 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend EIU.
Northern Illinois University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.
NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend NIU is $18,346 for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Knox College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Knox is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
Knox did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Knox is $19,653 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.
Lake Forest also made our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest is $24,683 for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
With a ranking of #12, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,985 for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SIUC.
Read more about Economics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Augustana College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Augustana College is a small school located in Rock Island, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana is $21,453 for illinois economics 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 33 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $17,841 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Illinois State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois State is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $19,080 for Illinois Economics 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%.
Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WIU is $15,912 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Elmhurst University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.
Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $19,703 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%.
Dominican University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dominican U is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
Dominican U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,582 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Dominican University.
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.
Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Jacksonville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.
Illinois College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,942 for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Illinois College.
With a ranking of #20, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Northeastern Illinois University also made our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $18,180 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
North Central College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Central College is located in Naperville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
North Central also made our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $23,353 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
McKendree University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. McKendree is a small school located in Lebanon, Illinois that handed out 17 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
McKendree did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $19,851 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend McKendree.
Bradley University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bradley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Bradley has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $22,865 for Illinois Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Bloomington, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.
Illinois Wesleyan also made our “Best Economics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan is $23,309 for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Roosevelt University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Roosevelt University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 6 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt University is $21,870 for illinois economics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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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.
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- Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.
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