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Top Colleges and Universities in the Chicago Area
Written by
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.
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Chicago is a great city to attend college; in addition to a rich multicultural experience and affordable housing and cost of living, you’ve got Lake Michigan at your disposal. Here are the top colleges and universities in Chicago and the surrounding area.
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University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind
Top College, Top Affordability
Top College
Top College: Affordability
Located in Chicago, Illinois, the University of Chicago is known for its rigorous academics and distinctive Core Curriculum, emphasizing broad-based education in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Located in Chicago, Illinois, the University of Chicago is known…Read More
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Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City
Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 2,877 undergraduates at Illinois Tech and the school’s acceptance rate is 61%. The…
Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year college…Read More
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL • Public, City
Top Affordability
Top College: Affordability
Situated in the heart of Chicago, UIC is recognized for its diverse student body and strong programs in health sciences, engineering, and urban planning. The university's location provides students with…Read More
Situated in the heart of Chicago, UIC is recognized for…Read More
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb
Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Lake Forest, Illinois. There are currently 1,724 undergraduates at Lake Forest and the school’s acceptance rate is 60%. The…
Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City
Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 11,626 undergraduates at Loyola and the school’s acceptance rate is 79%. The tuition at…
Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb
Elmhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Elmhurst, Illinois. There are currently 2,897 undergraduates at Elmhurst and the school’s acceptance rate is 76%. The tuition at Elmhurst…
Elmhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More
DePaul University
Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City
DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 13,968 undergraduates at DePauw and the school’s acceptance rate is 70%. The tuition at DePauw…
DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More
North Park University
Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City
North Park University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 1,866 undergraduates at North Park and the school’s acceptance rate is 68%. The tuition…
North Park University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More
VanderCook College of Music
Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City
VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 67 undergraduates at VanderCook College of Music and the school’s acceptance rate is…Read More
VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year college…Read More
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City
Saint Xavier University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 2,963 undergraduates at St. Xavier and the school’s acceptance rate is 84%. The tuition…
Saint Xavier University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More
Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City
Roosevelt University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 2,362 undergraduates at Roosevelt and the school’s acceptance rate is 88%. The tuition at Roosevelt…
Roosevelt University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL • Public, City
Chicago State University is a public 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 1,364 undergraduates at Chicago State and the school’s acceptance rate is 49%. The tuition at…
Chicago State University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL • Public, City
Northeastern Illinois University is a public 4-year college located in Chicago, Illinois. There are currently 4,058 undergraduates at NEIU and the school’s acceptance rate is 63%. The tuition at NEIU…
Northeastern Illinois University is a public 4-year college located in…Read More
About the Data
We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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