by our College Data Analytics TeamLoyola University Chicago ranks #1 of 64 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Illinois ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 58% six-year graduation rate and $57,522 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Illinois, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This list ranks **64** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 64 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Loyola University Chicago leads the 64 ranked colleges in Illinois, followed by Lewis University (#2) and Fox College Inc (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Loyola University Chicago this year in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Lewis University earned it the #2 place in Illinois. Set in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Lewis University graduates report median early-career earnings of $55,718. Graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Fox College Inc, which ranked #3 this year. Fox College Inc is a private for-profit school based in Tinley Park, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,670. Median early-career earnings reach $42,978. The median student debt is $18,767.
Out of the 64 colleges in Illinois in this year's ranking, Harper College landed the #4 spot. Located in Palatine, IL, Harper College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at College Of Dupage, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Glen Ellyn, IL, College Of Dupage is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $43,025. The median student debt is $12,492.
College Of Lake County landed the #6 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Grayslake, IL, College Of Lake County is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Median early-career earnings reach $50,314. Graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #7 among the best colleges in Illinois. Set in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $23,730.
Elgin Community College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Elgin Community College is a public school based in Elgin, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Elgin Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,975. Graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans.
Joliet Junior College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Joliet Junior College is a public school based in Joliet, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,118. Joliet Junior College students take on a median of $11,995 in debt.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Waubonsee Community College is a public school based in Sugar Grove, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,659. Waubonsee Community College students take on a median of $9,939 in debt.
Oakton Community College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Des Plaines, IL, Oakton Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,838. Graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans.
National Louis University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Chicago, IL, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 30% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,245. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. The median student debt is $29,242.
Illinois Central College landed the #13 spot in Illinois this year. Based in East Peoria, IL, Illinois Central College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Illinois Central College graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,190. Typical student debt is $12,222.
Rock Valley College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Rockford, IL, Rock Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $9,236.
Mchenry County College did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Crystal Lake, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Mchenry County College graduates report median early-career earnings of $24,177. The median student debt is $7,440.
Lake Land College placed #16 among the best colleges in Illinois. This public school is set in Mattoon, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $30,294. Lake Land College students take on a median of $7,769 in debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #17 among the best colleges in Illinois. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $33,073. The median student debt is $8,093.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Lewis And Clark Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,313. Lewis And Clark Community College students take on a median of $9,602 in debt.
Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences landed the #19 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Rock Island, IL, Trinity College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,069. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,760. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete a degree here.
Heartland Community College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Normal, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $13,266.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Lincoln Land Community College is a public school based in Springfield, IL. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $11,272.
Carl Sandburg College placed #22 among the best colleges in Illinois. Based in Galesburg, IL, Carl Sandburg College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,534. Typical student debt is $8,604.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Early-career graduates earn a median of $33,326. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete a degree here.
Moraine Valley Community College did well this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Palos Hills, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,844. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete a degree here.
Black Hawk College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Moline, IL, Black Hawk College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Black Hawk College graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,286. Typical student debt is $11,340.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 64 in Illinois. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.