by our College Data Analytics TeamIt's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. College Factual has developed its Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision. A school that typically has a high sticker price may actually be very affordable, depending on how much need-based financial aid you receive.
See What's Included in This Value Report:
We analyzed 47 schools across Illinois to determine which have the best value Bachelor's Degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best value schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.
When determining the value of a school in our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking, we first look at its average net price of a student coming from a family that makes $0-$30k a year. The net price is defined as the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that the student receives. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.
To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best value ranking methodology page.
Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.
If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found University of Chicago to be the best value (income $0-$30k) school for bachelor’s degrees in Illinois in this year’s ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is University of Chicago a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in Illinois for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $2,993.
Out of the 47 bachelor’s degree schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and has a large student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Northwestern University is ranked #2 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $8,911.
Out of the 47 bachelor’s degree schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the school is a large public institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is ranked #3 for quality in the state of Illinois. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,651.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Value Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. It is a public school.
University of Illinois at Chicago has the honor of being ranked #7 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $8,739.
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois list means Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, the school is a fairly large public institution.
Not only is Southern Illinois University Edwardsville a great value, but it is also ranked #23 in Illinois for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $8,120.
Western Illinois University landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. WIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois.
Western Illinois University has the honor of being ranked #26 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $9,001.
With a ranking of #7, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois list. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Illinois State University is ranked #6 for quality in the state of Illinois. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,770.
With a ranking of #8, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois list. NIU is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois.
Northern Illinois University has the honor of being ranked #16 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,594.
Saint Xavier University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Saint Xavier University has the honor of being ranked #34 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $10,033.
Governors State University landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Governors State University is a small public school located in University Park, Illinois.
Governors State University has the honor of being ranked #44 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $7,732.
Lewis University landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Lewis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Romeoville, Illinois.
Lewis University has the honor of being ranked #24 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $11,991.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Not only is Southern Illinois University Carbondale a great value, but it is also ranked #20 in Illinois for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $12,816.
Learn More About Value at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking, coming in at #13. UIS is located in Springfield, Illinois and has a small student population. It is a public school.
University of Illinois at Springfield has the honor of being ranked #43 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $8,877.
Read full value report on University of Illinois at Springfield
Aurora University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Aurora University is ranked #19 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $12,902.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Charleston, Illinois.
Eastern Illinois University has the honor of being ranked #38 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,386.
Trinity Christian College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking, coming in at #16. Trinity Christian is located in Palos Heights, Illinois and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Trinity Christian College has the honor of being ranked #35 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,843.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
Not only is Wheaton College Illinois a great value, but it is also ranked #8 in Illinois for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $17,118.
University of St Francis landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
University of St Francis has the honor of being ranked #21 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $14,408.
Monmouth College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking, coming in at #19. Monmouth is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Monmouth, Illinois.
Monmouth College has the honor of being ranked #29 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,298.
Illinois College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Illinois College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Illinois College has the honor of being ranked #39 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,159.
Lake Forest College landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Lake Forest College is ranked #13 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $16,413.
Chicago State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Chicago State University is ranked #47 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $7,896.
With a ranking of #23, Bradley University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois list. Bradley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Peoria, Illinois.
Bradley University has the honor of being ranked #10 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $17,583.
Concordia University, Chicago came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois.
Not only is Concordia University, Chicago a great value, but it is also ranked #14 in Illinois for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $17,006.
Augustana College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois list. Rock Island, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is Augustana College a great value, but it is also ranked #12 in Illinois for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $17,324.
Millikin University landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois ranking. Located in Decatur, Illinois, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
Not only is Millikin University a great value, but it is also ranked #25 in Illinois for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $15,418.
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Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.