Start typing in the text field above
Load More
Advertiser disclosure

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.

Top Colleges in Illinois

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.

Full Bio

Learn about our editorial policies

Updated: November 14th, 2023

Students from across the country come to study in Illinois every year. With world-class institutions like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University and a strong public school system, it’s not hard to see why. Check out the list below to find some great college options in the Land of Lincoln.

Get Started

Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

17 colleges
Sort by
Top College Top College
Top College Top College: Affordability

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

Chicago, IL

Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

6% acceptance rate
7,558 undergraduate students
96% graduation rate
$22,690 average per year after aid
Learn More
Get Started

Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

Top College Top College

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

Evanston, IL

Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

7% acceptance rate
8,691 undergraduate students
95% graduation rate
$28,230 average per year after aid
Learn More
Top College Top College
Top College Top College: Affordability

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Public, City

Champaign, IL

Public, City

60% acceptance rate
33,889 undergraduate students
85% graduation rate
$15,483 average per year after aid
Learn More

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

Chicago, IL

Private, Non-Profit, City

66% acceptance rate
2,889 undergraduate students
71% graduation rate
$22,166 average per year after aid
Learn More
Top College Top College: Affordability

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL • Public, City

Chicago, IL

Public, City

79% acceptance rate
22,011 undergraduate students
62% graduation rate
$11,329 average per year after aid
Learn More
Top College Top College: Affordability

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

Palos Heights, IL

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

76% acceptance rate
832 undergraduate students
67% graduation rate
$14,555 average per year after aid
Learn More
Top College Top College: Affordability

University of St Francis

Joliet, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

Joliet, IL

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

68% acceptance rate
1,519 undergraduate students
65% graduation rate
$16,578 average per year after aid
Learn More

Illinois State University

Normal, IL • Public, Suburb

Normal, IL

Public, Suburb

92% acceptance rate
17,632 undergraduate students
67% graduation rate
$20,579 average per year after aid
Learn More

DePaul University

Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

Chicago, IL

Private, Non-Profit, City

69% acceptance rate
14,059 undergraduate students
70% graduation rate
$29,537 average per year after aid
Learn More

VanderCook College of Music

Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

Chicago, IL

Private, Non-Profit, City

100% acceptance rate
72 undergraduate students
65% graduation rate
$20,738 average per year after aid
Learn More

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL • Public, City

Springfield, IL

Public, City

79% acceptance rate
2,441 undergraduate students
53% graduation rate
$12,065 average per year after aid
Learn More

North Central College

Naperville, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

Naperville, IL

Private, Non-Profit, City

68% acceptance rate
2,384 undergraduate students
64% graduation rate
$25,605 average per year after aid
Learn More

Lincoln Christian University

Lincoln, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Town

Lincoln, IL

Private, Non-Profit, Town

--% acceptance rate
284 undergraduate students
46% graduation rate
$17,436 average per year after aid
Learn More

Chicago State University

Chicago, IL • Public, City

Chicago, IL

Public, City

47% acceptance rate
1,496 undergraduate students
21% graduation rate
$8,969 average per year after aid
Learn More

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL • Public, City

Chicago, IL

Public, City

62% acceptance rate
4,547 undergraduate students
21% graduation rate
$13,555 average per year after aid
Learn More

Governors State University

University Park, IL • Public, Rural

University Park, IL

Public, Rural

52% acceptance rate
2,698 undergraduate students
16% graduation rate
$9,419 average per year after aid
Learn More

Rush University

Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

Chicago, IL

Private, Non-Profit, City

--% acceptance rate
118 undergraduate students
--% graduation rate
-- average per year after aid
Learn More

Students from across the country come to study in Illinois every year. With world-class institutions like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University and a strong public school system, it’s not hard to see why. Check out the list below to find some great college options in the Land of Lincoln.

Get Started

Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

See how many scholarships you’re eligible for!

Take our brief 5 question quiz to find out!

No sign-up required.

Get My Estimate