2027 Best architecture Schools in Illinois
architecture degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best architecture schools.
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Best Schools for architecture in Illinois
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in architecture
Leading the list is Southern Illinois University Carbondale, our #1 school for architecture. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 65 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $51,093. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in architecture from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Students looking for a strong architecture program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 105 architecture students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the architecture program make about $37,143 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,840.
Get the full architecture details for University Of Illinois At Chicago
A rank of #3 makes Judson University one of the top schools for architecture. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Elgin. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Judson University awarded about 40 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the architecture program make about $48,301 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in architecture from Judson University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 3 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.