The Best Value Illinois Colleges

Best Value Colleges in Illinois for 2024

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in Illinois based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2024 as the overall best value college in Illinois is Northwestern University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $22,095 average net price. The highest value public state college is University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.
Illinois Public Private 4 year

42 results

Northwestern University
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N
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Illinois

  • 23,161enrollment
  • $22,095net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Chicago
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C
Chicago, IL

University of Chicago

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value in Illinois

  • 18,339enrollment
  • $36,991net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.95Estimated Avg GPA

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University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
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I
Champaign, IL

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#3 Best Value in Illinois

  • 56,916enrollment
  • $14,544net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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University of Illinois at Springfield
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I
Springfield, IL

University of Illinois at Springfield

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Value in Illinois

  • 4,198enrollment
  • $11,733net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 988-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Millikin University
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M
Decatur, IL

Millikin University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,807enrollment
  • $10,492net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 930-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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University of Illinois at Chicago
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I
Chicago, IL

University of Illinois at Chicago

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Value in Illinois

  • 33,747enrollment
  • $10,384net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Illinois Wesleyan University
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I
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $30,096net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1330SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

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Illinois Institute of Technology
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I
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Value in Illinois

  • 6,943enrollment
  • $28,702net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Western Illinois University
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W
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Value in Illinois

  • 7,643enrollment
  • $11,213net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Augustana College
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A
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Value in Illinois

  • 2,349enrollment
  • $24,660net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Bradley University
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B
Peoria, IL

Bradley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Value in Illinois

  • 5,552enrollment
  • $24,053net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

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University of St Francis
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S
Joliet, IL

University of St Francis

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Value in Illinois

  • 3,297enrollment
  • $18,560net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Knox College
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K
Galesburg, IL

Knox College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $26,882net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Lake Forest College
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L
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,753enrollment
  • $27,839net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1153-1340SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Lewis University
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L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Value in Illinois

  • 6,513enrollment
  • $19,184net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1200SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

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Northern Illinois University
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N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#16 Best Value in Illinois

  • 15,649enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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North Central College
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N
Naperville, IL

North Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Value in Illinois

  • 2,695enrollment
  • $25,285net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

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Olivet Nazarene University
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O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Value in Illinois

  • 3,255enrollment
  • $20,059net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

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