by our College Data Analytics TeamNorthwestern University ranks #1 of 201 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in Illinois ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 69% six-year graduation rate and $85,409 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, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **201** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 201 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.
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Northwestern University leads the 201 ranked colleges in Illinois, followed by University Of Chicago (#2) and University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found Northwestern University to be the best college in Illinois. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Early-career graduates earn a median of $78,551. The median student debt is $16,616.
You'll be in good company at University Of Chicago, which ranked #2 this year. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. University Of Chicago graduates report median early-career earnings of $81,002. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
Out of the 201 colleges in Illinois in this year's ranking, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #3 spot. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $57,461. Graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Loyola University Chicago earned it the #4 place in Illinois. Located 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.
A rank of #5 makes Illinois State University one of the top colleges in Illinois. Based in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete a degree here.
Midwestern University Downers Grove came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Downers Grove, IL, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career graduates earn a median of $98,692.
University Of Illinois At Chicago did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $61,829. Typical student debt is $20,115.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best colleges in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Illinois Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Early-career graduates earn a median of $71,315. Typical student debt is $26,774.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school based in Wheaton, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Median early-career earnings reach $43,654. Typical student debt is $23,292.
Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in North Chicago, IL. Median early-career earnings reach $95,802.
Depaul University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,390 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete a degree here.
Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Bloomington, IL, Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,704. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,808. Graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a private for-profit school based in Addison, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,536. Median early-career earnings reach $101,006. The median student debt is $39,146.
Bradley University landed the #14 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $26,380.
Rush University landed the #15 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Chicago, IL, Rush University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,751. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $81,938. Rush University students take on a median of $31,206 in debt.
Lewis University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Lewis University graduates report median early-career earnings of $55,718. Graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans.
Elmhurst College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elmhurst College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $51,232. Elmhurst College students take on a median of $22,400 in debt.
Benedictine University landed the #18 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Lisle, IL, Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,212. Typical student debt is $25,338.
North Central College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Naperville, IL, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,726. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,699.
Northern Illinois University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Dekalb, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,308. Graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans.
University Of St Francis landed the #21 spot in Illinois this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Joliet, IL. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. University Of St Francis graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,918. Graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans.
Augustana College Illinois ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Rock Island, IL, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Augustana College Illinois graduates report median early-career earnings of $39,096. Students borrow a median of $26,764 to complete a degree here.
Lake Forest College placed #23 among the best colleges in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lake Forest, IL. Lake Forest College posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $41,168. Typical student debt is $26,661.
Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management placed #24 among the best colleges in Illinois. Based in Lake Forest, IL, Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management is a private not-for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $113,944.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in River Forest, IL. About 36% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,488. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,760. The median student debt is $26,956.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 201 in Illinois. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
