Best value colleges in the Midwest in Illinois
Colleges in the Midwest with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price after aid, earnings and debt.
Best value colleges in the Midwest in Illinois21 schools
21 schools qualify, ranked by Value.
How this list is made
- Schools in Illinois.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- In the Midwest (U.S. Census Bureau region).
- Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Value, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL · PublicTop 16% for earnings
- Value grade A+ · Top 2%
- Net price $10,974 a year
- 2
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Illinois
- Value grade A+ · Top 2%
- Net price $14,860 a year
- 3
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · PublicHonor Roll#3 in Illinois
- Value grade A · Top 4%
- Net price $14,355 a year
- 4
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL · Private nonprofitTop 21% for earnings
- Value grade A · Top 8%
- Net price $13,006 a year
- 5
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL · Private nonprofitTop 18% for earnings
- Value grade A- · Top 16%
- Net price $17,028 a year
- 6
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 7% for earnings
- Value grade A- · Top 17%
- Net price $18,425 a year
- 7
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Value grade B+ · Top 27%
- Net price $29,167 a year
- 8
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL · Private nonprofitTop 21% for graduation
- Value grade B · Top 43%
- Net price $24,185 a year
- 9
North Central College
Naperville, IL · Private nonprofit#18 in Illinois
- Value grade B · Top 45%
- Net price $21,044 a year
- 10
Bradley University
Peoria, IL · Private nonprofitTop 13% for graduation
- Value grade B · Top 47%
- Net price $22,719 a year
- 11
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL · Private nonprofit#21 in Illinois
- Value grade B · Top 47%
- Net price $19,125 a year
- 12
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL · Private nonprofit#10 in Illinois
- Value grade B
- Net price $22,736 a year
- 13
Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL · Private nonprofit#22 in Illinois
- Value grade B
- Net price $17,133 a year
- 14
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#4 in Illinois
- Value grade B-
- Net price $26,975 a year
- 15
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL · Private nonprofit#7 in Illinois
- Value grade B-
- Net price $28,199 a year
- 16
DePaul University
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 16% for earnings
- Value grade B-
- Net price $30,902 a year
- 17Tie
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL · Private nonprofit#5 in Illinois
- Value grade B-
- Net price $28,673 a year
- 17Tie
- 19
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 13% for earnings
- Value grade C+
- Net price $36,079 a year
- 20
Hebrew Theological College
Skokie, IL · Private nonprofitTop 17% for low debt
- Value grade C+
- Net price $26,861 a year
- 21
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Value grade C+
- Net price $49,790 a year
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Chicago | $10,974 | $16,704 | $68,740 | 62% |
| University of Chicago | $14,860 | $15,000 | $91,885 | 96% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $14,355 | $19,500 | $81,054 | 85% |
| University of St. Francis | $13,006 | $21,079 | $63,926 | 67% |
| Lewis University | $17,028 | $21,500 | $66,099 | 67% |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | $18,425 | $25,000 | $82,592 | 75% |
| Northwestern University | $29,167 | $15,000 | $89,363 | 95% |
| Elmhurst University | $24,185 | $20,489 | $61,462 | 70% |
| North Central College | $21,044 | $24,500 | $60,123 | 64% |
| Bradley University | $22,719 | $27,000 | $66,852 | 76% |
| Trinity Christian College | $19,125 | $25,009 | $55,700 | 58% |
| Augustana College | $22,736 | $27,000 | $62,971 | 73% |
| Monmouth College | $17,133 | $27,000 | $51,110 | 65% |
| Wheaton College | $26,975 | $23,250 | $63,756 | 85% |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | $28,199 | $27,000 | $70,871 | 75% |
| DePaul University | $30,902 | $23,168 | $68,751 | 68% |
| Lake Forest College | $28,673 | $26,158 | $61,825 | 78% |
| Knox College | $24,595 | $27,000 | $54,820 | 68% |
| Loyola University Chicago | $36,079 | $24,157 | $71,530 | 73% |
| Hebrew Theological College | $26,861 | $14,000 | $33,291 | 50% |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | $49,790 | $27,000 | $40,151 | 67% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.