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Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Teacher education programs in Illinois reveal surprising cost-effectiveness patterns, with Millikin University offering the lowest net cost at $8,837 despite being a private institution. This undercuts many public alternatives by thousands of dollars while maintaining a solid 59% graduation rate. The earnings spread across programs ranges from $30,336 to $42,682, with University of Illinois Chicago graduates commanding the highest salaries at $42,682 annually. Illinois schools benefit from the state's strong education sector, which employs over 280,000 teachers across K-12 and higher education institutions. Chicago's large school district alone creates substantial demand for qualified educators, particularly those trained in specialized teaching methods. The MAP Grant program helps Illinois residents reduce education costs, making teacher preparation more accessible across income levels. Public universities like Chicago State and Governors State offer net costs under $11,000, though graduation rates vary significantly from 17% to 60%. Private institutions command higher sticker prices but often provide substantial financial aid, creating competitive net costs for qualifying students.
48
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$36,092
Avg. Program Earnings
56.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

48 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $34,908 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $10,133 $37,856 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
3 $12,313 $42,682 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
4 $9,477 $32,711 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
5 $12,093 $38,597 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
6 $13,550 $41,565 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
7 $11,592 $34,491 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
8 $12,437 $36,668 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
9 $12,909 $37,054 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
10 $15,201 $39,880 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
11 $16,381 $39,369 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
12 $16,284 $37,980 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
13 $15,113 $34,530 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
14 $16,774 $37,856 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
15 $13,696 $30,714 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
16 $14,093 $30,336 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
17 $16,157 $33,480 $12,345 36.9% 92.1%
18 $18,191 $37,424 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
19 $18,996 $39,054 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
20 $17,324 $35,060 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
21 $16,177 $32,634 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
22 $21,063 $42,276 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
23 $18,034 $35,594 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
24 $18,370 $35,274 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
25 $20,152 $37,671 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
26 $18,992 $34,793 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
27 $23,033 $40,441 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
28 $21,386 $36,560 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
29 $23,572 $38,289 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
30 $21,539 $34,603 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
31 $23,529 $36,560 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
32 $24,190 $35,959 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
33 $23,066 $33,518 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
34 $17,082 $24,481 $13,288 27.7%
35 $21,270 $30,409 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
36 $22,048 $31,423 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
37 $29,141 $41,193 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
38 $26,984 $37,856 $43,930 86.6% 88.4%
39 $24,875 $34,704 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
40 $35,196 $37,208 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%
41 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
42 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
43 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
44 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
45 $11,197 $14,700 73.1% 71.4%
46 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
47 $26,788 $32,520 48.5% 94.8%
48 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Millikin University such good value for teacher education?

Millikin University offers the lowest net cost at $8,837 among all 20 Illinois teacher education programs, despite being a private institution. The school maintains a 59% graduation rate and produces graduates earning $34,908 annually. Students graduate with $25,446 in debt, which remains manageable given typical teacher salaries. This combination of low net cost and reasonable outcomes makes Millikin particularly attractive for education majors.

How do graduation rates vary among Illinois teacher education programs?

Graduation rates span dramatically from 16.8% at Northeastern Illinois University to 84.9% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Chicago State University struggles with just a 16.9% graduation rate despite relatively low costs. Several private colleges like Augustana College achieve rates above 75%, while many public universities hover between 40% and 60%. These differences significantly impact the true value of each program.

Does attending University of Illinois Chicago justify the higher cost?

UIC graduates earn the highest salaries at $42,682 annually, substantially above the state average of $36,000 for teacher education graduates. The net cost of $12,313 sits in the middle range among Illinois programs. Students graduate with just $15,000 in debt, well below the state average of $24,000. The 60.3% graduation rate and strong earning potential make UIC a solid investment despite higher upfront costs.

Where do Chicago-area teacher education programs stand on value?

Chicago hosts several teacher education options with varying value propositions. Chicago State offers the second-lowest net cost at $10,133 but suffers from a 16.9% graduation rate. Saint Xavier University costs $12,093 net with a much better 59% graduation rate and $38,597 graduate earnings. Northeastern Illinois University charges $13,550 net but graduates earn $41,565 annually, among the highest in the state.

Is debt load manageable for Illinois teacher education graduates?

Graduate debt ranges from $15,000 at University of Illinois Chicago to $37,500 at Chicago State University. Most programs keep debt below $27,000, which aligns reasonably with starting teacher salaries between $30,000 and $43,000. Public universities generally produce lower debt loads, with UIC, Northeastern Illinois, and Governors State all under $20,000. Private institutions average around $26,000 in graduate debt.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.