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Cheapest Education Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

The University of Illinois Chicago leads Illinois education programs at $12,313 net cost, while private options like Elmhurst University reach $21,063. This $8,750 gap reflects stark differences in accessibility for future teachers and education professionals. Illinois schools produce educators for the state's 850 school districts, with Chicago Public Schools alone employing over 20,000 teachers. Graduation rates span from 38% at Rockford University to nearly 85% at UI Urbana-Champaign, showing wide variation in program completion across the state's education training market.
5
Programs
$12,313 – $23,066
Net Price Range
58.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Education, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
2 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
3 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
4 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
5 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Illinois Chicago the most affordable option for education majors?

UIC offers the lowest net cost at $12,313 with a solid 60% graduation rate and 79% acceptance rate. The public university benefits from state funding and serves Chicago's massive education job market directly.

How much more expensive are private education programs compared to public ones?

Private schools cost $4,750 to $10,750 more annually than public options. Quincy University charges $17,324 net cost while UI Chicago costs just $12,313, though graduation rates vary significantly between institutions.

Is UI Urbana-Champaign worth the extra cost over UIC for education students?

UIUC costs $2,888 more at $15,201 net price but delivers an 85% graduation rate compared to UIC's 60%. The higher completion rate may justify the additional investment for serious education majors.

More Education, Other Rankings

Best Value Education, Other in Illinois Education, Other Under $20,000 in Illinois

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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.