2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in Illinois
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in Illinois? Our ranking highlights 240 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search analyzed 39 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Illinois
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Concordia University Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Teaching degree schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Concordia University Chicago Teaching students take on a median of $26,956 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,089 ten years after entry. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants. More on Concordia University Chicago
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois State University earned it the #2 place in Illinois. Based in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $21,896. Illinois State University alumni report median earnings of $62,117 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Illinois State University profile
Out of the 39 schools in Illinois in this year's value ranking, Northeastern Illinois University landed the #3 spot. Set in Chicago, IL, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Northeastern Illinois University Teaching students take on a median of $17,600 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants. See the full Northeastern Illinois University profile
You'll get strong value at Governors State University, which ranked #4 this year. Governors State University is a public school based in University Park, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete their Teaching program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 48% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Governors State University
Out of the 39 schools in Illinois in this year's value ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #5 spot. Eastern Illinois University is a public school based in Charleston, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,989 ten years after entry. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%. Read the full report on Eastern Illinois University
University Of St Francis landed the #6 spot for value in Illinois this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Joliet, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. University Of St Francis Teaching students take on a median of $25,695 in debt. University Of St Francis alumni report median earnings of $63,926 a decade after entry. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%. Read more about University Of St Francis
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Located in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,730. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,797. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,213. Set against $26,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University has an acceptance rate of 56%. Get the full Olivet Nazarene University report
Northern Illinois University placed #9 among the best-value Teaching schools in Illinois. Northern Illinois University is a public school based in Dekalb, IL. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete their Teaching program here. Northern Illinois University alumni report median earnings of $57,808 a decade after entry. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 70%. See the full Northern Illinois University profile
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Based in Edwardsville, IL, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,917. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumni report median earnings of $56,346 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
National Louis University landed the #10 spot for value in Illinois this year. Set in Chicago, IL, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. National Louis University Teaching students take on a median of $29,242 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,799 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. National Louis University has an acceptance rate of 95%. Read the full report on National Louis University
University Of Illinois At Springfield offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Springfield, IL, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Springfield
Mckendree University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lebanon, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,740. Mckendree University Teaching students take on a median of $24,362 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,572. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants. Get the full Mckendree University report
Western Illinois University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. This public school is set in Macomb, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Western Illinois University Teaching students take on a median of $27,639 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,163. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants. Get the full Western Illinois University report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #15 among the best-value Teaching schools in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $20,778. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,054 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Illinois At Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. University Of Illinois At Chicago alumni report median earnings of $68,740 a decade after entry. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Chicago
Aurora University placed #17 among the best-value Teaching schools in Illinois. Based in Aurora, IL, Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. The median Teaching program debt is $24,507. Aurora University alumni report median earnings of $58,709 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants. More on Aurora University
Lewis University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Set in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Lewis University Teaching students take on a median of $24,838 in debt. Median earnings reach $66,099 ten years out. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants. Read the full report on Lewis University
Chicago State University landed the #19 spot for value in Illinois this year. Based in Chicago, IL, Chicago State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Typical Teaching student debt is $43,322. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants. See the full Chicago State University profile
North Park University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Chicago, IL, North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete their Teaching program here. Median earnings reach $59,572 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. North Park University has an acceptance rate of 68%. Read the full report on North Park University
Dominican University placed #21 among the best-value Teaching schools in Illinois. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school based in River Forest, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,828. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,236. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,327. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Dominican University
Rockford College landed the #22 spot for value in Illinois this year. Located in Rockford, IL, Rockford College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,780. Graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,794. That is a strong return on a $28,094 median debt. Rockford College has an acceptance rate of 93%. See the full Rockford College profile
North Central College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Naperville, IL, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,699. Median earnings reach $60,123 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on North Central College
Judson University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Elgin, IL, Judson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,297. The median Teaching program debt is $27,685. Median earnings reach $56,313 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,685 median debt. Judson University admits about 48% of applicants. Read more about Judson University
Depaul University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. The median Teaching program debt is $25,310. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,751. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Depaul University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Illinois
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Loyola University Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Loyola University Chicago Teaching students take on a median of $23,521 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,530 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
Saint Xavier University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Chicago, IL, Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete their Teaching program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University has an acceptance rate of 84%. See the full Saint Xavier University profile
Bradley University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Set in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,160. Bradley University Teaching students take on a median of $26,380 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,852. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Bradley University
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #28 spot for value in Illinois this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wheaton, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,292. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants. See the full Wheaton College Illinois profile
Roosevelt University placed #30 among the best-value Teaching schools in Illinois. Based in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Roosevelt University Teaching students take on a median of $23,879 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,712. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%. More on Roosevelt University
Trinity Christian College landed the #30 spot for value in Illinois this year. Based in Palos Heights, IL, Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,605. Students borrow a median of $28,722 to complete their Teaching program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,700 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,722 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Trinity Christian College report
Northwestern University landed the #32 spot for value in Illinois this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. The median Teaching program debt is $16,616. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,363. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Elmhurst College landed the #33 spot for value in Illinois this year. Located in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,400. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,462. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants. Read more about Elmhurst College
Augustana College Illinois ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Located in Rock Island, IL, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. The median Teaching program debt is $26,764. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,971 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,764 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants. More on Augustana College Illinois
Eureka College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Eureka, IL. Students from in state pay about $28,636 in tuition and fees. Eureka College Teaching students take on a median of $26,619 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,641 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,619 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Eureka College report
Benedictine University landed the #36 spot for value in Illinois this year. Located in Lisle, IL, Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete their Teaching program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,446. That is a strong return on a $25,338 median debt. Benedictine University has an acceptance rate of 95%. Get the full Benedictine University report
Millikin University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Millikin University is a private not-for-profit school based in Decatur, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $26,792. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,036. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,262. That is a strong return on a $26,036 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%. Read more about Millikin University
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #37 spot for value in Illinois this year. Located in Bloomington, IL, Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,704 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $26,857. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,871 ten years after entry. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Wesleyan University admits about 39% of applicants. Get the full Illinois Wesleyan University report
Knox College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Knox College is a private not-for-profit school based in Galesburg, IL. Students from in state pay about $57,903 in tuition and fees. Knox College Teaching students take on a median of $26,420 in debt. Median earnings reach $54,820 ten years out. Set against $26,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%. Read more about Knox College
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Wabash Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Wabash Valley College
Blackburn College placed #41 among the best-value Teaching schools in Illinois. Get the full Blackburn College report
Chicago Theological Seminary ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Chicago Theological Seminary
Midwestern Career College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. See the full Midwestern Career College profile
Hebrew Theological College placed #44 among the best-value Teaching schools in Illinois. See the full Hebrew Theological College profile
John A Logan College landed the #45 spot for value in Illinois this year. Get the full John A Logan College report
Kaskaskia College landed the #46 spot for value in Illinois this year. Read more about Kaskaskia College
Bell Mar Beauty College landed the #47 spot for value in Illinois this year. Read more about Bell Mar Beauty College
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Libertyville placed #48 among the best-value Teaching schools in Illinois. More on Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Libertyville
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Rockford landed the #49 spot for value in Illinois this year. Read the full report on Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Rockford
G Skin And Beauty Institute came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full G Skin And Beauty Institute profile
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 39 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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