Best Colleges in Illinois

101
Universities
63
Community Colleges
164
Total Institutions

Explore 164 colleges and universities in Illinois, ranked by the Repit College Score. Our ratings evaluate graduation rates, affordability, resources, and student experience.

#1
A

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • 18,339 students
Private Non-Profit
95%
Grad Rate
#2
A

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • 23,203 students
Private Non-Profit
96%
Grad Rate
#3
B+

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • 56,563 students
Public
85%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
#4
B

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL • 33,522 students
Public
60%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
11%
Off-Campus
#5
B

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL • 1,576 students
Private Non-Profit
83%
Grad Rate
#6
B

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL • 15,504 students
Public
50%
Grad Rate
$14k
Net Price
#7
B

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL • 8,563 students
Private Non-Profit
72%
Grad Rate
#8
B

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • 11,359 students
Public
56%
Grad Rate
$16k
Net Price
#9
C+

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL • 2,484 students
Private Non-Profit
79%
Grad Rate
#10
C+

Illinois State University

Normal, IL • 20,989 students
Public
66%
Grad Rate
$21k
Net Price
#11
C+

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL • 17,397 students
Private Non-Profit
77%
Grad Rate
#12
C+

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL • 2,799 students
Private Non-Profit
87%
Grad Rate
#13
C+

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL • 8,804 students
Public
45%
Grad Rate
$15k
Net Price
#14
C+

North Central College

Naperville, IL • 2,856 students
Private Non-Profit
71%
Grad Rate
#15
C+

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL • 4,661 students
Public
61%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
#16
C+

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL • 12,045 students
Public
55%
Grad Rate
$15k
Net Price
18%
Off-Campus
#17
C+

Bradley University

Peoria, IL • 5,217 students
Private Non-Profit
72%
Grad Rate
#18
C+

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL • 1,818 students
Private Non-Profit
70%
Grad Rate
#19
C+

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL • 5,504 students
Public
17%
Grad Rate
$15k
Net Price
12%
Off-Campus
#20
C+

Principia College

Elsah, IL • 338 students
Private Non-Profit
76%
Grad Rate
#21
C+

Chicago State University

Chicago, IL • 2,324 students
Public
17%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#22
C+

DePaul University

Chicago, IL • 21,348 students
Private Non-Profit
70%
Grad Rate
#23
C+

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL • 7,073 students
Public
45%
Grad Rate
$12k
Net Price
8%
Off-Campus
#24
C+

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL • 3,401 students
Private Non-Profit
64%
Grad Rate
#25
C+

Hebrew Theological College

Skokie, IL • 197 students
Private Non-Profit
73%
Grad Rate
#26
C+

Methodist College

Peoria, IL • 391 students
Private Non-Profit
75%
Grad Rate
#27
C+

Knox College

Galesburg, IL • 1,001 students
Private Non-Profit
68%
Grad Rate
#28
C+

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL • 6,636 students
Private Non-Profit
63%
Grad Rate
#29
C+

Millikin University

Decatur, IL • 1,659 students
Private Non-Profit
59%
Grad Rate
#30
C+

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, IL • 2,216 students
Private Non-Profit
62%
Grad Rate
#31
C+

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL • 883 students
Private Non-Profit
64%
Grad Rate
#32
C+

Aurora University

Aurora, IL • 5,935 students
Private Non-Profit
58%
Grad Rate
#33
C+

Midwestern University-Downers Grove

Downers Grove, IL • 2,671 students
Private Non-Profit
#34
C+

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL • 3,906 students
Private Non-Profit
65%
Grad Rate
#35
C+

Governors State University

University Park, IL • 4,337 students
Public
20%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
16%
Off-Campus
#36
C+

North Park University

Chicago, IL • 2,624 students
Private Non-Profit
56%
Grad Rate
#37
C

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL • 3,275 students
Private Non-Profit
60%
Grad Rate
#38
C

Dominican University

River Forest, IL • 3,424 students
Private Non-Profit
62%
Grad Rate
#39
C

Judson University

Elgin, IL • 1,058 students
Private Non-Profit
53%
Grad Rate
#40
C

McKendree University

Lebanon, IL • 2,075 students
Private Non-Profit
60%
Grad Rate
#41
C

University of St Francis

Joliet, IL • 3,185 students
Private Non-Profit
65%
Grad Rate
#42
C

St. Augustine College

Chicago, IL • 774 students
Private Non-Profit
28%
Grad Rate
#43
C

Adler University

Chicago, IL • 1,674 students
Private Non-Profit
#44
C

Blackburn College

Carlinville, IL • 389 students
Private Non-Profit
52%
Grad Rate
#45
C

The Chicago School at Chicago

Chicago, IL • 1,243 students
Private Non-Profit
#46
C

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL • 6,529 students
Private Non-Profit
48%
Grad Rate
#47
C

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

North Chicago, IL • 1,949 students
Private Non-Profit
#48
C

Illinois College

Jacksonville, IL • 958 students
Private Non-Profit
61%
Grad Rate
#49
C

Rush University

Chicago, IL • 2,782 students
Private Non-Profit
#50
C

Benedictine University

Lisle, IL • 2,989 students
Private Non-Profit
51%
Grad Rate
#51
C

Illinois College of Optometry

Chicago, IL • 483 students
Private Non-Profit
#52
C

Ambria College of Nursing

Hoffman Estates, IL • 195 students
Private For-Profit
#53
C

Lakeview College of Nursing

Danville, IL • 81 students
Private Non-Profit
#54
C

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Chicago, IL • 114 students
Private Non-Profit
#55
C

Monmouth College

Monmouth, IL • 727 students
Private Non-Profit
60%
Grad Rate
#56
C

National University of Health Sciences

Lombard, IL • 513 students
Private Non-Profit
#57
C

Quincy University

Quincy, IL • 1,280 students
Private Non-Profit
43%
Grad Rate
#58
C

Rockford University

Rockford, IL • 1,249 students
Private Non-Profit
38%
Grad Rate
#59
C

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

Peoria, IL • 523 students
Private Non-Profit
#60
C

Lincoln Christian University

Lincoln, IL • 185 students
Private Non-Profit
58%
Grad Rate
#61
C

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL • 4,015 students
Private Non-Profit
41%
Grad Rate
#62
C

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL • 3,457 students
Private Non-Profit
59%
Grad Rate
#63
C

Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago

Chicago, IL • 88 students
Private Non-Profit
8%
Grad Rate
#64
C

Concordia University-Chicago

River Forest, IL • 5,066 students
Private Non-Profit
47%
Grad Rate
#65
C

Eureka College

Eureka, IL • 527 students
Private Non-Profit
41%
Grad Rate
#66
C

Greenville University

Greenville, IL • 1,053 students
Private Non-Profit
51%
Grad Rate
#67
C

Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Rock Island, IL • 76 students
Private Non-Profit
#68
C

National Louis University

Chicago, IL • 8,270 students
Private Non-Profit
37%
Grad Rate
#69
C

St. John's College-Department of Nursing

Springfield, IL • 93 students
Private Non-Profit
#70
C

Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Quincy, IL • 195 students
Private Non-Profit
#71
C

University of Saint Mary of the Lake

Mundelein, IL • 203 students
Private Non-Profit
#72
C

Chamberlain University-Illinois

Addison, IL • 28,897 students
Private For-Profit
50%
Grad Rate
#73
C

Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago

Chicago, IL • 38 students
Private Non-Profit
#74
C

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Evanston, IL • 299 students
Private Non-Profit
#75
C

Northern Baptist Theological Seminary

Lisle, IL • 6 students
Private Non-Profit
#76
C

Pacific College of Health and Science

Chicago, IL • 279 students
Private For-Profit
68%
Grad Rate
#77
C

NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia

Evanston, IL • 75 students
Private Non-Profit
#78
C

DeVry University-Illinois

Lisle, IL • 29,346 students
Private For-Profit
37%
Grad Rate
#79
C

Institute for Clinical Social Work

Chicago, IL • 120 students
Private Non-Profit
#80
C

Oak Point University

Oak Brook, IL • 451 students
Private Non-Profit
#81
D

Catholic Theological Union at Chicago

Chicago, IL • 198 students
Private Non-Profit
#82
D

Midwest College of Oriental Medicine-Skokie

Skokie, IL • 39 students
Private For-Profit
#83
D

McCormick Theological Seminary

Chicago, IL • 133 students
Private Non-Profit
#84
D

Trinity International University-Illinois

Deerfield, IL • 852 students
Private Non-Profit
46%
Grad Rate
#85
D

Northwestern College

Oak Lawn, IL • 464 students
Private For-Profit
34%
Grad Rate
#86
D

Urbana Theological Seminary

Urbana, IL • 17 students
Private Non-Profit
#87
D

DeVry University-Administrative Office

Lisle, IL
Private For-Profit
#88
D

Southern Illinois University-System Office

Carbondale, IL
Public
#89
D

University of Illinois System Offices

Urbana, IL
Public
#90
D

VanderCook College of Music

Chicago, IL • 340 students
Private Non-Profit
47%
Grad Rate
#91
D

Chamberlain University-Administrative Office

Chicago, IL
Private For-Profit
#92
D

American Academy of Art College

Chicago, IL • 90 students
Private For-Profit
45%
Grad Rate
#93
D

American Islamic College

Chicago, IL • 14 students
Private Non-Profit
#94
D

Erikson Institute

Chicago, IL • 368 students
Private Non-Profit
#95
D

Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford, IL • 228 students
Private Non-Profit
#96
D

Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation, Inc.

Chicago, IL • 76 students
Private Non-Profit
#97
D

Chicago Theological Seminary

Chicago, IL • 202 students
Private Non-Profit
#98
D

Lake Forest Graduate School of Management

Lake Forest, IL • 275 students
Private Non-Profit
#99
D

Meadville Theological School of Lombard College

Chicago, IL • 69 students
Private Non-Profit
#100
D

Spertus College

Chicago, IL • 97 students
Private Non-Profit
#1
C+

Lake Land College

Mattoon, IL • 3,699 students
Public
54%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#2
C+

College of Lake County

Grayslake, IL • 12,290 students
Public
38%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#3
C+

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, IL • 11,144 students
Public
33%
Grad Rate
$2k
Net Price
#4
C+

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, IL • 13,069 students
Public
46%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#5
C+

CAAN Academy of Nursing

Matteson, IL • 90 students
Private Non-Profit
100%
Grad Rate
#6
C+

Elgin Community College

Elgin, IL • 9,614 students
Public
41%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#7
C+

Olney Central College

Olney, IL • 880 students
Public
62%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#8
C+

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, IL • 5,238 students
Public
43%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#9
C+

Highland Community College

Freeport, IL • 1,369 students
Public
46%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#10
C+

Illinois Valley Community College

Oglesby, IL • 2,594 students
Public
45%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#11
C+

Lewis and Clark Community College

Godfrey, IL • 4,196 students
Public
48%
Grad Rate
$3k
Net Price
#12
C+

Rend Lake College

Ina, IL • 1,871 students
Public
60%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
#13
C

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, IL • 7,955 students
Public
37%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#14
C

Black Hawk College

Moline, IL • 3,853 students
Public
43%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#15
C

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, IL • 7,578 students
Public
40%
Grad Rate
$12k
Net Price
#16
C

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, IL • 2,404 students
Public
38%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#17
C

Kaskaskia College

Centralia, IL • 3,447 students
Public
49%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#18
C

Morrison Institute of Technology

Morrison, IL • 54 students
Private Non-Profit
67%
Grad Rate
#19
C

Morton College

Cicero, IL • 3,653 students
Public
28%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#20
C

Oakton College

Des Plaines, IL • 7,032 students
Public
31%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#21
C

Richland Community College

Decatur, IL • 2,214 students
Public
47%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#22
C

Sauk Valley Community College

Dixon, IL • 1,433 students
Public
51%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
#23
C

Southeastern Illinois College

Harrisburg, IL • 1,392 students
Public
51%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#24
C

Triton College

River Grove, IL • 9,262 students
Public
29%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#25
C

Heartland Community College

Normal, IL • 4,795 students
Public
52%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
#26
C

City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College

Chicago, IL • 6,185 students
Public
31%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#27
C

City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College

Chicago, IL • 5,859 students
Public
29%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#28
C

John A Logan College

Carterville, IL • 3,120 students
Public
41%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#29
C

Parkland College

Champaign, IL • 6,018 students
Public
33%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#30
C

Rock Valley College

Rockford, IL • 5,480 students
Public
40%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#31
C

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, IL • 1,142 students
Public
44%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#32
C

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, IL • 8,324 students
Public
41%
Grad Rate
$9k
Net Price
#33
C

Frontier Community College

Fairfield, IL • 2,364 students
Public
53%
Grad Rate
$11k
Net Price
#34
C

Wabash Valley College

Mount Carmel, IL • 906 students
Public
59%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#35
C

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College

Chicago, IL • 7,789 students
Public
33%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#36
C

Danville Area Community College

Danville, IL • 2,149 students
Public
38%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#37
C

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL • 23,216 students
Public
24%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#38
C

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, IL • 9,863 students
Public
21%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#39
C

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, IL • 9,051 students
Public
39%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#40
C

Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, IL • 3,045 students
Public
19%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#41
C

Spoon River College

Canton, IL • 1,225 students
Public
43%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#42
C

Taylor Business Institute

Chicago, IL • 172 students
Private For-Profit
68%
Grad Rate
#43
C

South Suburban College

South Holland, IL • 3,873 students
Public
24%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#44
C

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, IL • 1,688 students
Public
37%
Grad Rate
$3k
Net Price
#45
C

City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College

Chicago, IL • 2,780 students
Public
26%
Grad Rate
$5k
Net Price
#46
C

John Wood Community College

Quincy, IL • 1,866 students
Public
46%
Grad Rate
$8k
Net Price
#47
C

Kishwaukee College

Malta, IL • 2,807 students
Public
38%
Grad Rate
$7k
Net Price
#48
C

Lincoln Trail College

Robinson, IL • 605 students
Public
47%
Grad Rate
$10k
Net Price
#49
C

City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

Chicago, IL • 8,011 students
Public
14%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#50
C

City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College

Chicago, IL • 5,836 students
Public
28%
Grad Rate
$4k
Net Price
#51
C

Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park

Melrose Park, IL • 1,345 students
Private For-Profit
65%
Grad Rate
#52
C

City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College

Chicago, IL • 2,747 students
Public
20%
Grad Rate
$6k
Net Price
#53
C

Graham Hospital School of Nursing

Canton, IL • 36 students
Private Non-Profit
50%
Grad Rate
#54
C

Fox College

Tinley Park, IL • 239 students
Private For-Profit
44%
Grad Rate
#55
C

Rasmussen University-Illinois

Rockford, IL • 1,332 students
Private For-Profit
40%
Grad Rate
#56
C

Worsham College of Mortuary Science

Wheeling, IL • 187 students
Private For-Profit
69%
Grad Rate
#57
D

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc

Lisle, IL • 1,230 students
Private For-Profit
59%
Grad Rate
#58
D

Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chicago

Chicago, IL • 221 students
Private For-Profit
#59
D

Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College

Rockford, IL • 733 students
Private For-Profit
62%
Grad Rate
#60
D

Midwestern Career College

Chicago, IL • 824 students
Private For-Profit
63%
Grad Rate
#61
D

City Colleges of Chicago-District Office

Chicago, IL
Public
#62
D

Illinois Eastern Community College-System Office

Olney, IL
Public
#63
F

Generations College

Chicago, IL • 317 students
Private Non-Profit
6%
Grad Rate

Cities with Multiple Colleges

Champaign 2 colleges
Evanston 3 colleges
Normal 2 colleges
Peoria 3 colleges
Rock Island 2 colleges
Springfield 3 colleges
Decatur 2 colleges
Elgin 2 colleges
Carbondale 2 colleges
Galesburg 2 colleges
Joliet 2 colleges
Danville 2 colleges
River Forest 2 colleges
Skokie 2 colleges
Lake Forest 2 colleges
Chicago 48 colleges
Quincy 3 colleges
Canton 2 colleges
Olney 2 colleges
Rockford 5 colleges
Lisle 5 colleges
Urbana 2 colleges

About College Rankings in Illinois

The Repit College Score ranks 164 colleges and universities in Illinois based on outcomes (graduation rates, retention), affordability (net cost, financial aid), resources (class sizes, faculty ratios), and student experience (campus life, housing options).

4-Year Universities (101): Bachelor's degree-granting institutions including public universities, private colleges, and research institutions.

2-Year Colleges (63): Community colleges and technical schools offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Illinois

How many colleges are in Illinois?

There are 164 accredited colleges and universities in Illinois tracked by Repit, including 101 4-year institutions and 63 community colleges. Each school is rated using our proprietary scoring system that evaluates outcomes, affordability, and resources.

How does Repit rate colleges?

Repit rates colleges on a 100-point scale across five categories: Outcomes (graduation and retention rates), Affordability (net cost and financial aid), Resources (class sizes and selectivity), Experience (campus life and learning format), and Prestige (reputation and recognition). Each factor is weighted and combined into an overall score and letter grade.

Should I attend a public or private college in Illinois?

Illinois has both public and private institutions. Public schools often offer lower tuition for state residents, while private schools may provide more financial aid. Compare net prices and outcomes using Repit's detailed college profiles to find the best value for your situation.

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology