2026 Best Best Schools in Illinois

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools to find the best for best students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Best Schools in Illinois

Best Schools for Best 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 best degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Best

1

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

72 Best Degrees Awarded

$42,128 Median Starting Salary

Loyola University Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best best schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 72 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $42,128. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Loyola University Chicago

2

Eureka College
Eureka, IL

Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type

12 Best Degrees Awarded

$37,886 Median Starting Salary

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Eureka College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Eureka, Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 41% of students finish within six years. About 12 best degrees were awarded at Eureka College in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $37,886 in their early career. Eureka College graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. See the full best program report for Eureka College

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 4 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.