by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in Illinois, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This list ranks 202 graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed graduate schools 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.
The best graduate school for you depends on what you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Looking to pit your favorite graduate schools against each other? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year in Illinois. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $78,551. Typical student debt is $16,616.
Out of the 202 graduate schools in Illinois in this year's ranking, University Of Chicago landed the #2 spot. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $15,854.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Illinois. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Median early-career earnings reach $57,461. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign students take on a median of $20,778 in debt.
Out of the 202 graduate schools in Illinois in this year's ranking, Loyola University Chicago landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. The median student debt is $23,521.
The strong outcomes at Illinois State University earned it the #5 place in Illinois. Set in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,660. The median student debt is $21,896.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #6 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Early-career graduates earn a median of $61,829. The median student debt is $20,115.
Midwestern University Downers Grove landed the #7 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Downers Grove, IL, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit institution. Midwestern University Downers Grove graduates report median early-career earnings of $98,692.
Wheaton College Illinois did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Wheaton College Illinois graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,654. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete a degree here.
Rush University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, Rush University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,751. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $81,296. Rush University students take on a median of $31,206 in debt.
Depaul University placed #10 among the best graduate schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,405. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,226. Depaul University students take on a median of $25,310 in debt.
Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bloomington, IL. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,704. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,808. Illinois Wesleyan University students take on a median of $26,857 in debt.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best graduate schools in Illinois. Based in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $71,315. Illinois Institute Of Technology students take on a median of $26,774 in debt.
Bradley University landed the #13 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bradley University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Median early-career earnings reach $54,513. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete a degree here.
Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science placed #14 among the best graduate schools in Illinois. Set in North Chicago, IL, Rosalind Franklin University Of Medicine And Science is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $95,802 early in their careers.
Elmhurst College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Elmhurst, IL. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,955. Elmhurst College graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,232. The median student debt is $22,400.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois landed the #16 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Addison, IL, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates 42% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,536. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $101,006. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois students take on a median of $39,146 in debt.
Lewis University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Romeoville, IL. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,718. The median student debt is $24,838.
University Of St Francis landed the #18 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Median early-career earnings reach $70,918. University Of St Francis students take on a median of $25,695 in debt.
Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management placed #19 among the best graduate schools in Illinois. Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management is a private not-for-profit school based in Lake Forest, IL. Early-career graduates earn a median of $113,944.
Northern Illinois University landed the #20 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Dekalb, IL, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $52,308. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete a degree here.
North Central College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Naperville, IL, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. North Central College graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,247. North Central College students take on a median of $25,699 in debt.
Benedictine University placed #22 among the best graduate schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lisle, IL. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,648. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,338.
Fox College Inc placed #23 among the best graduate schools in Illinois. This private for-profit school is set in Tinley Park, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $17,670. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,978 early in their careers. The median student debt is $18,767.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in River Forest, IL, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,760. Typical student debt is $26,956.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #25 spot in Illinois this year. Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school based in Rock Island, IL. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Early-career graduates earn a median of $39,096. Typical student debt is $26,764.
These graduate schools rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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.
