The Best Value Illinois Colleges

Best Value Colleges in Illinois for 2025

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 2025 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 2025 as the overall best value college in Illinois is Northwestern University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $23,341 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

41 results

Northeastern Illinois University
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N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#37 Best Value in Illinois

  • 5,504enrollment
  • $14,669net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Quincy University
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Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#38 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,280enrollment
  • $17,424net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1250SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Rockford University
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R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#39 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,249enrollment
  • $24,098net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Saint Xavier University
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S
Chicago, IL
 

Saint Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#40 Best Value in Illinois

  • 3,457enrollment
  • $11,943net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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Western Illinois University
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W
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#41 Best Value in Illinois

  • 7,073enrollment
  • $12,168net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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