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Best Colleges in Illinois

Best Colleges in Illinois

Best Colleges By State

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Why Should I Consider Studying in Illinois?

If you’ve heard of Michael Jordan, you’ve heard of the bulls and the great city of Chicago. Illinois is home to Chicago and many other great cities, and provides an unique experience to people from many walks of life.

The state is home to many of the most well known colleges in the nation, and particularly the midwest. In particular, the University of Chicago, which has exceptional business, law and science programs. Similarly, there’s Northwestern University which likewise has very high marks for these same disciplines. In fact, the schools (along with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) have graduated some of the more recognizable names in all of finance over the years.

Illinois is home to Illinois State University and DePaul University, which both provide smaller classes historically, as well as Loyola University which tends to provide a more intimate educational experience. That being said, all three still provide a mountain of majors that allow for broad exploration to the eager mind that’s still not sure about where they’re headed professionally.

The state is home to several iconic American cities, as mentioned, but also has an unique blend of urban and rural experiences - and enjoys some exceptionally large music festivals during the warmer months. All the bonuses having been mentioned, students should be aware of the exceptionally cold temperatures in the winter months, although fortunately there are plenty of skiing and snowboarding options. Not to mention, the downside of the cold is also somewhat offset by the amazing outdoors that can be enjoyed during the long summer months.

Home to various large cities, the state provides numerous employment options for those determined seekers, and internships with some of America’s largest companies are typically in surplus during the winter months, so it might be wise to get hunting before the freezes start to thaw.

Illinois Higher Education By The Numbers

Colleges in Illinois

Illinois has the 7th most colleges in the United States of America with 225 colleges. For a little perspective, that is 142 more colleges than the median state. 29% of colleges in Illinois are public, and 71% of its colleges are private. (66 public colleges & 159 private colleges). It has the 15th highest private to public college ratio of any state.

Our favorite colleges in Illinois are University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has more students than any other public colleges in Illinois' top 25 colleges (57,324). DePaul University has the most students of any private college in our top 25 (25,937).

Students in Illinois

The most popular state has 3,747,479 college students. Illinois has 73% fewer (2,733,220 students). There are 678,156 public college students and 336,103 private college students in Illinois. It has fewer public college students than 5 states and more private college students than 44 states. Its 1,014,259 total students make it the 5th most popular choice in the US. 33% of students in Illinois attend private schools which is the 18th highest percentage around the nation.

Best Colleges in Illinois

Best Colleges in Illinois

A+

Rating

#1 Best Colleges in Illinois

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL | www.uchicago.edu/

7%

Acceptance

20,413

Students

#11

Ranking

$61K

Tuition

A+

Rating

#2 Best Colleges in Illinois

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL | www.northwestern.edu/

9%

Acceptance

25,870

Students

#12

Ranking

$59K

Tuition

A+

Rating

#3 Best Colleges in Illinois

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL | www.illinois.edu/

63%

Acceptance

57,324

Students

#125

Ranking

$33K

Tuition

A+

Rating

#4 Best Colleges in Illinois

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL | web.iit.edu/

61%

Acceptance

7,261

Students

#149

Ranking

$50K

Tuition

A

Rating

#5 Best Colleges in Illinois

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago

Chicago, IL | https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/chicago/

0%

Acceptance

1,380

Students

#212

Ranking

$13K

Tuition

A

Rating

#6 Best Colleges in Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL | www.iwu.edu/

57%

Acceptance

1,643

Students

#221

Ranking

$51K

Tuition

A

Rating

#7 Best Colleges in Illinois

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL | www.wheaton.edu/

87%

Acceptance

3,416

Students

#222

Ranking

$39K

Tuition

A

Rating

#8 Best Colleges in Illinois

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL | https://www.luc.edu/

71%

Acceptance

19,692

Students

#242

Ranking

$46K

Tuition

A

Rating

#9 Best Colleges in Illinois

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL | www.lakeforest.edu/

58%

Acceptance

1,723

Students

#255

Ranking

$50K

Tuition

A

Rating

#10 Best Colleges in Illinois

Resurrection University

Chicago, IL | www.resu.edu/

0%

Acceptance

1,125

Students

#272

Ranking

$26K

Tuition

A

Rating

#11 Best Colleges in Illinois

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL | www.augustana.edu/

57%

Acceptance

2,611

Students

#302

Ranking

$45K

Tuition

A

Rating

#12 Best Colleges in Illinois

Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford, IL | https://www.sacn.edu/

100%

Acceptance

349

Students

#313

Ranking

$27K

Tuition

A

Rating

#13 Best Colleges in Illinois

DePaul University

Chicago, IL | https://www.depaul.edu/

70%

Acceptance

25,937

Students

#323

Ranking

$41K

Tuition

A

Rating

#14 Best Colleges in Illinois

Rush University

Chicago, IL | www.rushu.rush.edu/

0%

Acceptance

3,326

Students

#340

Ranking

$31K

Tuition

A

Rating

#15 Best Colleges in Illinois

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL | www.uic.edu/

73%

Acceptance

35,210

Students

#356

Ranking

$28K

Tuition

A

Rating

#16 Best Colleges in Illinois

Knox College

Galesburg, IL | https://www.knox.edu/

71%

Acceptance

1,290

Students

#362

Ranking

$50K

Tuition

A

Rating

#17 Best Colleges in Illinois

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

Peoria, IL | www.sfmccon.edu/

0%

Acceptance

678

Students

#392

Ranking

$21K

Tuition

A−

Rating

#18 Best Colleges in Illinois

University of St Francis

Joliet, IL | https://www.stfrancis.edu/

60%

Acceptance

5,403

Students

#400

Ranking

$35K

Tuition

A−

Rating

#19 Best Colleges in Illinois

North Central College

Naperville, IL | northcentralcollege.edu/

53%

Acceptance

3,077

Students

#416

Ranking

$41K

Tuition

A−

Rating

#20 Best Colleges in Illinois

Bradley University

Peoria, IL | www.bradley.edu/

73%

Acceptance

6,377

Students

#431

Ranking

$35K

Tuition

A−

Rating

#21 Best Colleges in Illinois

Principia College

Elsah, IL | www.principiacollege.edu/

93%

Acceptance

425

Students

#492

Ranking

$31K

Tuition

A−

Rating

#22 Best Colleges in Illinois

North Park University

Chicago, IL | www.northpark.edu/

44%

Acceptance

3,304

Students

#499

Ranking

$32K

Tuition

A−

Rating

#23 Best Colleges in Illinois

National University of Health Sciences

Lombard, IL | https://www.nuhs.edu/

0%

Acceptance

738

Students

#543

Ranking

$20K

Tuition

B+

Rating

#24 Best Colleges in Illinois

Illinois State University

Normal, IL | illinoisstate.edu/

81%

Acceptance

23,141

Students

#580

Ranking

$27K

Tuition

B+

Rating

#25 Best Colleges in Illinois

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL | www.elmhurst.edu/

66%

Acceptance

3,832

Students

#584

Ranking

$39K

Tuition

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