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Best Value Teaching Doctor's Degree Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Value Teaching Doctor's Degree Schools in Illinois

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

22 Schools Ranked
$19,452 Avg Tuition & Fees*

Today's teaching students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Best Value Teaching Doctor's Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 22 schools in Illinois to see which doctor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for teaching students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Teaching Doctor's Degree Schools in Illinois

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
83 Total Awards
$9,378 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Concordia University, Chicago the best value school in Illinois for teaching students working on their doctor’s degree. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378 a year.

One thing to take note of is that Concordia University, Chicago does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Concordia University, Chicago also took the #4 spot in our Best Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois rankings.

Read full report on Concordia University, Chicago

#2

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
8 Total Awards
$9,756 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend McKendree University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Lebanon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at McKendree are $9,756 per year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at McKendree. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on McKendree University

#3

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
23 Total Awards
$11,773 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

Illinois State graduate students pay an average of $11,773 in tuition and fees each year.

Illinois State does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Illinois State University Report

#4

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
8 Total Awards
$14,674 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Governors State University is a great place for teaching students working on their doctor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. GSU is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GSU graduate students pay an average of $14,674 in tuition and fees each year.

GSU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 35% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Governors State University

#5

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
10 Total Awards
$12,190 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olivet Nazarene University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 10 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Olivet Nazarene graduate students pay an average of $12,190 in tuition and fees each year.

Online graduate courses are available at Olivet Nazarene, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.

Olivet Nazarene did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Report

#6

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
28 Total Awards
$13,839 Average Tuition & Fees

University of St Francis landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value doctor’s degree teaching programs. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at University of Saint Francis are $13,839 per year.

University of Saint Francis does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, University of Saint Francis is ranked #2 for overall quality in Illinois.

Read full report on University of St Francis

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
56 Total Awards
$11,390 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Illinois University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 56 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at NIU are $11,390 per year.

NIU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 43% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Northern Illinois University Report

#8

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
77 Total Awards
$12,096 Average Tuition & Fees

National Louis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 77 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at NLU are $12,096 a year.

One thing to take note of is that NLU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#9

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
14 Total Awards
$12,182 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Illinois University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value doctor’s degree teaching programs. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at WIU are $12,182 a year.

Online graduate courses are available at WIU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#10

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
30 Total Awards
$14,100 Average Tuition & Fees

Aurora University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Aurora, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 30 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Aurora are $14,100 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Aurora does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 87% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, Illinois
8 Total Awards
$9,316 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value doctor’s degree teaching programs. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

SIUE graduate students pay an average of $9,316 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at SIUE. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report

#12

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
5 Total Awards
$14,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Lewis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Lewis are $14,960 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Lewis. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

75 Total Awards
$30,862 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the large public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UIUC are $30,862 a year.

Online graduate courses are available at UIUC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

17 Total Awards
$33,064 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value doctor’s degree teaching programs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 17 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SIUC graduate students pay an average of $33,064 in tuition and fees each year.

SIUC does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 24% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Report

#15

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois
8 Total Awards
$16,314 Average Tuition & Fees

Judson University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Judson is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 8 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Judson graduate students pay an average of $16,314 in tuition and fees each year.

Judson does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 45% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#16

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
28 Total Awards
$28,468 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UIC are $28,468 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UIC does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
6 Total Awards
$15,218 Average Tuition & Fees

Chicago State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

CSU graduate students pay an average of $15,218 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that CSU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 27% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Chicago State University Report

#18

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
23 Total Awards
$18,341 Average Tuition & Fees

DePaul University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 23 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

DePaul graduate students pay an average of $18,341 in tuition and fees each year.

Online graduate courses are available at DePaul, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.

Full DePaul University Report

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
10 Total Awards
$19,894 Average Tuition & Fees

Loyola University Chicago came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Loyola Chicago are $19,894 per year.

Loyola Chicago does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Loyola University Chicago

#20

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
1 Total Awards
$21,605 Average Tuition & Fees

Roosevelt University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Roosevelt graduate students pay an average of $21,605 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Roosevelt. During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Roosevelt University

#21

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois
4 Total Awards
$19,640 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Benedictine University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their doctor’s degree. Benedictine U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lisle, Illinois. It awarded 4 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Benedictine U graduate students pay an average of $19,640 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Benedictine U does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#22

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
2 Total Awards
$56,567 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwestern University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value doctor’s degree teaching programs. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Northwestern are $56,567 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Northwestern. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 2% took at least some of their classes online.

Northwestern also made our Best Teaching Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list, coming in at #1.

Read full report on Northwestern University

Best Value Teaching Doctor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 22 schools only.

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%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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