Explore Illinois Colleges
Colleges in Illinois
Explore 77 colleges and universities in Illinois, including 12 public institutions and 65 private schools. Compare tuition costs, acceptance rates, and find your perfect fit.
77
Total Colleges
12
Public
65
Private
Illinois at a Glance
Avg Acceptance Rate
6152%
Average acceptance rate for Illinois colleges
Avg Net Price
$19,744.194
After financial aid
Avg In-State Tuition
$27,265.092
For public universities
Explore Illinois by Region
Illinois is a diverse state with distinct college regions. Explore schools by area to find the campus environment that fits your lifestyle.
See how Illinois colleges compare head-to-head on acceptance rates, costs, and outcomes.
Illinois Colleges Directory
Browse 77 colleges in Illinois, sorted by ranking and selectivity.
Evanston, IL•Private
8%
Acceptance Rate$83,517/yr
1510-1570
96%
"Northwestern fuses rigorous academics and Big Ten athletics on a chilly Lake Michigan shore, delivering Chicago's energy without the full urban chaos."
Chicago, IL•Private
4%
Acceptance Rate$81,288/yr
1510-1580
96%
"The intellectual playground where quirky minds wrestle big ideas amid Chicago's gritty skyline, earning its 'where fun goes to die' badge with pride."
Champaign, IL•Public
42%
Acceptance Rate$28,562/yr
1310-1520
87%
"Engineer the next big thing at this Midwest research behemoth, where massive scale delivers top-tier opportunities amid Big Ten roars and relentless winters."
Chicago, IL•Private
82%
Acceptance Rate$65,110/yr
1170-1360
73%
"Jesuit institution anchoring rigorous education in Chicago's lakeside neighborhoods and bustling downtown."
Wheaton, IL•Private
87%
Acceptance Rate$55,000/yr
1260-1470
89%
"Faith-infused liberal arts haven where Billy Graham studied amid Chicago suburbs."
Chicago, IL•Private
55%
Acceptance Rate$66,365/yr
1180-1440
75%
"Chicago's modernist tech hub where Mies van der Rohe's steel-and-glass campus sparks engineering and architecture innovation."
Galesburg, IL•Private
71%
Acceptance Rate$63,189/yr
1180-1440
77%
"In a sleepy Illinois prairie town where Lincoln once debated Douglas, Knox College hands you the reins to craft your own liberal arts adventure amid abolitionist roots and wide-open prairies."
Elsah, IL•Private
48%
Acceptance Rate$45,110/yr
1040-1250
81%
"Tiny liberal arts college on Mississippi bluffs where students work campus jobs to cover room and board while pursuing global studies."
Chicago, IL•Public
77%
Acceptance Rate$27,428/yr
1130-1350
70%
"Chicago's gritty public research engine, fueling diverse go-getters into medicine, engineering, and urban leadership amid the city's pulse."
Lake Forest, IL•Private
57%
Acceptance Rate$64,700/yr
1190-1393
77%
"Tucked in Chicago's posh northern suburbs, Lake Forest College delivers intimate liberal arts teaching with easy escapes to the city, perfect for students craving personal attention amid Midwestern calm."
Normal, IL•Public
88%
Acceptance Rate$22,317/yr
990-1210
75%
"First public university in Illinois since 1857, excelling in teacher education, business, and theatre amid Bloomington-Normal's practical college-town energy."
Rock Island, IL•Private
63%
Acceptance Rate$60,836/yr
1030-1270
79%
"Mississippi River liberal arts college founded by Swedish immigrants, blending personal teaching with tight-knit community."
Carbondale, IL•Public
87%
Acceptance Rate$20,898/yr
900-1160
64%
"Southern Illinois University-Carbondale blends small-town charm with a research-driven spirit in the heart of southern Illinois."
Monmouth, IL•Private
91%
Acceptance Rate$53,318/yr
1000-1210
67%
"Tiny liberal arts college in rural Illinois where Scottish heritage shapes a close community of future teachers and leaders."
Chicago, IL•Private
76%
Acceptance Rate$61,544/yr
1140-1330
69%
"Chicago's Vincentian powerhouse fuses service-minded education with urban access to business, theater, and law in a split-campus setup."
Jacksonville, IL•Private
78%
Acceptance Rate$46,914/yr
883-1180
76%
"Illinois' oldest college blends historic roots with hands-on liberal arts in a quiet Midwest town."
Chicago, IL•Private
97%
Acceptance Rate$48,368/yr
895-1175
58%
"Roosevelt University blends urban energy with a historic commitment to social justice in the heart of Chicago."
Peoria, IL•Private
77%
Acceptance Rate$50,880/yr
1090-1300
80%
"Practical powerhouse training engineers, nurses, and entrepreneurs amid Peoria's factories and riverfront."
Naperville, IL•Private
77%
Acceptance Rate$57,788/yr
1055-1310
69%
"North Central College is located in Naperville, IL."
Edwardsville, IL•Public
98%
Acceptance Rate$21,074/yr
950-1190
61%
"A welcoming public university in Edwardsville, Illinois, where affordability meets a tight-knit campus near St. Louis."
Bloomington, IL•Private
39%
Acceptance Rate$66,980/yr
1120-1340
81%
"Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL."
University Park, IL•Public
48%
Acceptance Rate$19,248/yr
830-1060
46%
"Governors State University is located in University Park, IL."
Aurora, IL•Private
81%
Acceptance Rate$40,780/yr
900-1150
68%
"Suburban Illinois university powering careers in teaching and nursing with practical training near Chicago."
Rockford, IL•Private
93%
Acceptance Rate$46,170/yr
850-1070
48%
"Rockford University is located in Rockford, IL."
Greenville, IL•Private
98%
Acceptance Rate$41,046/yr
771-1230
62%
"Greenville University is located in Greenville, IL."
Joliet, IL•Private
65%
Acceptance Rate$47,980/yr
1030-1220
70%
"A tight-knit Catholic university in Joliet, Illinois, blending faith, service, and personalized learning in a historic industrial heartland."
Elgin, IL•Private
48%
Acceptance Rate$42,170/yr
816-1118
65%
"Judson University is located in Elgin, IL."
Deerfield, IL•Private
100%
Acceptance Rate$32,998/yr
925-1106
53%
"Christian university integrating evangelical faith with liberal arts near Chicago suburbs."
Dekalb, IL•Public
70%
Acceptance Rate$22,234/yr
N/A
69%
"Northern Illinois University blends Midwestern warmth with a scrappy, hands-on approach to learning in the heart of DeKalb."
Chicago, IL•Private
95%
Acceptance Rate$13,419/yr
N/A
50%
"A Chicago-based university with a deep commitment to accessible education for nontraditional students."
Chicago, IL•Private
69%
Acceptance Rate$45,270/yr
N/A
66%
"North Park University is located in Chicago, IL."
Rockford, IL•Private
100%
Acceptance Rate$12,210/yr
N/A
49%
"Rasmussen University-Illinois is located in Rockford, IL."
Oak Lawn, IL•Private
N/A
Acceptance Rate$18,280/yr
N/A
47%
"Northwestern College is located in Oak Lawn, IL."
Chicago, IL•Private
100%
Acceptance Rate$22,050/yr
N/A
N/A
"Chicago's pint-sized private university blending personal attention with big-city energy in the South Loop."
Skokie, IL•Private
57%
Acceptance Rate$28,800/yr
N/A
8%
"Orthodox Jewish college blending rabbinic ordination with bachelor's degrees in the Midwest."
Chicago, IL•Private
100%
Acceptance Rate$7,500/yr
N/A
13%
"American Islamic College is located in Chicago, IL."
Showing top 50 of 77 colleges in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Colleges
University of Chicago is the highest-ranked university in Illinois, ranked #12 nationally. The state is home to several prestigious institutions offering world-class education across various fields.
The average tuition at Illinois colleges varies by institution type. For public universities, the average in-state tuition is $27,265 per year. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,217. After financial aid, the average net price is $19,744.
The average acceptance rate for colleges in Illinois is 62%. However, acceptance rates vary significantly by institution, with some highly selective universities accepting less than 10% of applicants while others maintain open enrollment policies.
To qualify for in-state tuition at Illinois public universities, you typically need to establish residency for at least 12 months before enrolling. Requirements usually include living in the state, having a Illinois driver's license, registering to vote in the state, and demonstrating intent to remain. Specific requirements vary by institution, so check with your chosen school's admissions office.
Illinois is located in the Midwest region of the United States. Known for strong public university systems and Big Ten athletics, the Midwest offers affordable education with tight-knit campus communities.
Illinois offers a range of affordable college options. The average net price after financial aid is $19,744. Public universities in Illinois provide particularly strong value for in-state residents, with lower tuition rates and access to state financial aid programs.