College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Education Schools in Illinois

49 Colleges in the United States
9,954 Education Degrees Awarded
$49,424 Avg Early-Career Salary

Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their education programs.

College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best education schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Education in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall education education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Education

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 school for education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 598 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $51,546 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,876. More information about a degree in education from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for education. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 70 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Northwestern University earn around $60,945 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in education from Northwestern University

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 401 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $59,981 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,080. More information about a degree in education from University Of Illinois At Chicago

4

Illinois State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 1,029 education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,367 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,372 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for Illinois State University

5

Students looking for a strong education program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #5. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 181 education degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $59,860. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in education from Loyola University Chicago

6
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #6 position for education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 410 education degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $53,953. Typical student debt for the program is $26,921. Read more about the education program at Depaul University

7

Concordia University Chicago placed #7 among the best education schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. There were roughly 717 education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $65,603. Students borrow a median of $26,552 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for Concordia University Chicago

8

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 60 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $47,714 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full education program report for Wheaton College Illinois

9

Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 586 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $51,960 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,723 to complete this degree. Get the full education details for Northern Illinois University

10
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. Elmhurst College awarded about 99 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Elmhurst College earn around $46,897 in the first couple years of their career. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $26,649 in student loans. See the full education program report for Elmhurst College

11

University Of St Francis landed the #11 spot for education this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 241 education degrees were awarded at University Of St Francis in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of St Francis earn around $61,635 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,642 to complete this degree. Read more about the education program at University Of St Francis

12
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 258 education degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $74,575. Typical student debt for the program is $24,197. Read more about the education program at Aurora University

13
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. About 64% of students finish within six years. North Central College awarded about 54 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from North Central College earn around $59,044 in the first couple years of their career. North Central College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the education program at North Central College

14

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 298 education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $69,243. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,098 in student loans. Read more about the education program at Northeastern Illinois University

15
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College came in at #15 for education this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. Lake Forest College awarded about 16 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. Lake Forest College graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Get the full education details for Lake Forest College

16
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #16 position for education this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. There were roughly 81 education students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $43,025 in their early career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Read more about the education program at College Of Dupage

17
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #17 spot for education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 281 education students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $47,580 early in their careers. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $25,377 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Lewis University

18
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College landed the #18 spot for education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Jacksonville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois College awarded about 13 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Illinois College earn around $41,184 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,922. Read more about the education program at Illinois College

19
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 59 education students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $44,523 in their early career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. See the full education program report for Harper College

20

Elgin Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Elgin Community College awarded about 51 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. Read more about the education program at Elgin Community College

21

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #21 spot for education this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 261 education degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $50,318 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,537 to complete this degree. Get the full education details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

22

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #22 for education this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 231 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $52,065. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,994 in student loans. See the full education program report for Olivet Nazarene University

23
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University placed #23 among the best education schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 21% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 133 education students who graduated with this degree at Governors State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $62,106. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for Governors State University

24

Bradley University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. Bradley University awarded about 93 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full education program report for Bradley University

25

North Park University placed #25 among the best education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. North Park University awarded about 98 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $46,252. North Park University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. See the full education program report for North Park University

Rest of the Top 49 Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education ranking:

26
27
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL
38
39
Trinity Christian College crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL
40
41
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL
42
Erikson Institute crest
Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL
43
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
44
45
46
Blackburn College crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL
47
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL
48
49

View All Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 49 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options