Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois
- 50
- Schools
- $41,634
- Avg. Earnings
- 40%
- Avg. Graduation
- $7,041
- Avg. Net Price
- $10,207
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $28,467 at the low end to $68,740 at the top. That 2.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Joliet Junior College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $42,889 against $1,672 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Joliet Junior College at $1,672 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $42,889, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Illinois Eastern Community Colleges graduates 63% of its students, well above the 40% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Kaskaskia College: graduates owe only 0.10× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Joliet Junior College ($42,889 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Illinois Chicago ($68,740). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Joliet Junior College ($1,672/yr) and Western Illinois University ($12,937/yr) produce graduates earning $42,889 and $54,163 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $11,265 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Joliet Junior College outperforms University of Illinois Chicago: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Joliet Junior College and Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $39K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Joliet Junior College #1 overall | $42,889 ▲ +3% vs avg | $1,672 | 21% | 89 |
| 2 Illinois Valley Community College #2 overall | $40,810 ▼ -2% vs avg | $2,232 | 43% | 88 |
| 3 Lake Land College #3 overall | $38,877 ▼ -7% vs avg | $2,254 | 56% | 88 |
| $43,892 ▲ +5% vs avg | $2,829 | 37% | 88 | |
| $37,724 ▼ -9% vs avg | $3,349 | 46% | 86 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $41,634 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 40% and an average net price of $7,041.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Joliet Junior College — Net Price: $1,672 | Graduation Rate: 21%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Illinois Eastern Community Colleges — 63% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Illinois Chicago — Median alumni earnings: $68,740
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$38,839
Median earnings (10yr)
41%
Median graduation rate
$6,993
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $38,839 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 41%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $6,993 a year with about $8,242 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 31% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.3%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $6,993 and graduates earn a median of $38,839. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Joliet Junior College lands at #1 with a 89/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $42,889 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $1,672 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Illinois Valley Community College lands at #2 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $40,810 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,232 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Lake Land College lands at #3 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $38,877 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,254 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Moraine Valley Community College lands at #4 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $43,892 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $2,829 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Lewis and Clark Community College lands at #5 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $37,724 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,349 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Carl Sandburg College lands at #6 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,274 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,662 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Richland Community College lands at #7 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $38,793 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,741 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Lincoln Land Community College lands at #8 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $38,479 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,299 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Triton College lands at #9 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $41,728 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,138 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Kishwaukee College lands at #10 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $39,657 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,574 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Kankakee Community College lands at #11 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $38,767 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,665 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Prairie State College lands at #12 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $36,696 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,738 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Danville Area Community College lands at #13 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $34,867 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,777 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Rock Valley College lands at #14 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $39,158 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,242 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Morton College lands at #15 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,406 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,191 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Spoon River College lands at #16 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,386 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,415 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Elgin Community College lands at #17 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $45,516 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,026 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Highland Community College lands at #18 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $37,928 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,713 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Kaskaskia College lands at #19 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $38,801 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,477 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Oakton College lands at #20 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $47,852 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,183 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
McHenry County College lands at #21 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $45,143 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,042 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
John Wood Community College lands at #22 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,631 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,050 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Black Hawk College lands at #23 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $37,253 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,944 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
College of Lake County lands at #24 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $43,424 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,607 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College lands at #25 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (42/100). Graduates earn a median $41,625 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,375 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Shawnee Community College lands at #26 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (24/100). Graduates earn a median $32,999 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,162 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
John A Logan College lands at #27 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $34,096 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
South Suburban College lands at #28 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (25/100). Graduates earn a median $33,680 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,242 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Parkland College lands at #29 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,320 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,048 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College lands at #30 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (40/100). Graduates earn a median $32,427 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,220 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Sauk Valley Community College lands at #31 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,458 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,493 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College lands at #32 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $36,531 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,397 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
College of DuPage lands at #33 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $46,909 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,401 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
University of Illinois Springfield lands at #34 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,103 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,833 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College lands at #35 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (35/100). Graduates earn a median $36,484 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,863 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College lands at #36 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by social mobility (37/100). Graduates earn a median $37,962 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,886 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Rend Lake College lands at #37 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $35,775 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,187 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
University of Illinois Chicago lands at #38 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (62/100). Graduates earn a median $68,740 a decade after enrolling, 65% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,974 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College lands at #39 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $28,467 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,494 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Dominican University lands at #40 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $60,327 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,745 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College lands at #41 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $31,114 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,038 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Saint Xavier University lands at #42 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,656 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,970 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Southwestern Illinois College lands at #43 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $36,884 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,427 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges lands at #44 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $37,533 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,092 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Eastern Illinois University lands at #45 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $51,989 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,786 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Waubonsee Community College lands at #46 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,788 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,442 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Chicago State University lands at #47 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $42,778 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,335 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Western Illinois University lands at #48 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $54,163 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,937 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Governors State University lands at #49 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,169 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,329 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Heartland Community College lands at #50 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,768 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,013 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
In Illinois, affordability remains a key factor for families considering higher education options. Many students are looking for colleges that not only fit their budget but also promise decent outcomes after graduation. For instance, the average net price for the schools on this list is significantly lower than the national average, making them attractive choices for cost-conscious students.
What distinguishes the top schools in this ranking is not just their low net price but also their graduation rates and post-graduation earnings. The schools listed below have been evaluated based on their net price, average earnings, graduation rates, and student debt. For example, Joliet Junior College has a low net price of $1,672 but a graduation rate of only 21%, while Lake Land College boasts a higher graduation rate at 56% with a slightly higher net price of $2,254. This gives us a clearer picture of which schools offer stronger outcomes for their investment.
Take Joliet Junior College and Lake Land College as examples. Joliet has a net price of $1,672 and lower graduation rates at 21%, while Lake Land's graduation rate stands at 56% with a net price of $2,254. Families must weigh these trade-offs carefully, as a slightly higher price may lead to better graduation outcomes and higher earnings in the long run. Understanding these nuances can help students and their families make informed decisions about their educational futures.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 38 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.3%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Chicago State University leads the group at 3.7%, with Saint Xavier University (2.8%) and City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College (2.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 12.5% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College enrolls the most, at 28.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 11.7% across the list, peaking at 31.4% at Saint Xavier University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.17, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Saint Xavier University is highest at 1.62.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
While all these schools feature low net prices, their graduation rates and post-graduation earnings highlight a crucial difference. For example, Joliet Junior College has an impressive average earning of $42,889, but with only a 21% graduation rate, it raises questions about the long-term value of that investment. In contrast, Lake Land College has a lower average earning of $38,877 but a much stronger graduation rate of 56%. This pattern suggests that while affordability is critical, completion rates can significantly affect overall success.
After reviewing the rankings, consider how each school's strengths align with your personal priorities. Are you looking for a program with a strong completion rate, or is the lowest possible cost your primary concern? Think about location, campus culture, and specific programs as you evaluate your options. Each student’s situation is unique, and the best choice balances financial considerations with academic and personal fit.
The choices made today shape future opportunities. A college degree can lead to a more stable life, but not all degrees offer the same return on investment. For instance, students who graduate from Illinois Valley Community College with a 43% graduation rate may find themselves in a better position than those who start at a lower-performing school. The decision about where to enroll is more than just a number; it’s about paving the way for a successful future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois ranking? +
Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $42,889 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 21% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Illinois Chicago posts the highest median earnings on this list: $68,740 ten years after enrollment, well above the $41,634 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Joliet Junior College leads: graduates earn a median $42,889 against net price of about $1,672 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 63%, compared with a 40% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $7,041 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Joliet Junior College is among the most affordable at roughly $1,672. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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