Top Colleges in Illinois - Scholarships360
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    Top Colleges in Illinois

    Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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    Updated: May 7th, 2024

    Students from across the country come to study in Illinois every year. With world-class institutions like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University and a strong public school system, it’s not hard to see why. Check out the list below to find some great college options in the Land of Lincoln.

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    37 colleges
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    Top College Top College: Affordability

    University of Chicago

    Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Chicago, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    6% acceptance rate
    7,558 undergraduate students
    96% graduation rate
    $22,690 average per year after aid
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    Top College Top College

    Northwestern University

    Evanston, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Evanston, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    7% acceptance rate
    8,691 undergraduate students
    95% graduation rate
    $28,230 average per year after aid
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    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College: Affordability

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Champaign, IL • Public, City

    Champaign, IL

    Public, City

    60% acceptance rate
    33,889 undergraduate students
    85% graduation rate
    $15,483 average per year after aid
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    Wheaton College

    Wheaton, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Wheaton, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    86% acceptance rate
    2,301 undergraduate students
    88% graduation rate
    $25,287 average per year after aid
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    Illinois Institute of Technology

    Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Chicago, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City

    66% acceptance rate
    2,889 undergraduate students
    71% graduation rate
    $22,166 average per year after aid
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    Illinois Wesleyan University

    Bloomington, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Bloomington, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City

    45% acceptance rate
    1,646 undergraduate students
    81% graduation rate
    $27,611 average per year after aid
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    Augustana College

    Rock Island, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Rock Island, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City

    69% acceptance rate
    2,317 undergraduate students
    79% graduation rate
    $23,538 average per year after aid
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    Bradley University

    Peoria, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Peoria, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City

    76% acceptance rate
    4,319 undergraduate students
    76% graduation rate
    $24,835 average per year after aid
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    Top College Top College: Affordability

    University of Illinois Chicago

    Chicago, IL • Public, City

    Chicago, IL

    Public, City

    79% acceptance rate
    22,011 undergraduate students
    62% graduation rate
    $11,329 average per year after aid
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    Lake Forest College

    Lake Forest, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Lake Forest, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    64% acceptance rate
    1,657 undergraduate students
    73% graduation rate
    $23,642 average per year after aid
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    Top College Top College: Affordability

    Trinity Christian College

    Palos Heights, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Palos Heights, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    76% acceptance rate
    832 undergraduate students
    67% graduation rate
    $14,555 average per year after aid
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    Top College Top College: Affordability

    University of St Francis

    Joliet, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Joliet, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    68% acceptance rate
    1,519 undergraduate students
    65% graduation rate
    $16,578 average per year after aid
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    Knox College

    Galesburg, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Galesburg, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, Town

    70% acceptance rate
    1,140 undergraduate students
    75% graduation rate
    $23,285 average per year after aid
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    Loyola University Chicago

    Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Chicago, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City

    77% acceptance rate
    11,739 undergraduate students
    72% graduation rate
    $27,330 average per year after aid
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    Illinois State University

    Normal, IL • Public, Suburb

    Normal, IL

    Public, Suburb

    92% acceptance rate
    17,632 undergraduate students
    67% graduation rate
    $20,579 average per year after aid
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    Elmhurst University

    Elmhurst, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Elmhurst, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    71% acceptance rate
    2,791 undergraduate students
    68% graduation rate
    $23,036 average per year after aid
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    Illinois College

    Jacksonville, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Jacksonville, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, Town

    75% acceptance rate
    1,088 undergraduate students
    64% graduation rate
    $16,349 average per year after aid
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    Lewis University

    Romeoville, IL • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Romeoville, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    71% acceptance rate
    3,799 undergraduate students
    60% graduation rate
    $17,323 average per year after aid
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    DePaul University

    Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Chicago, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City

    69% acceptance rate
    14,059 undergraduate students
    70% graduation rate
    $29,537 average per year after aid
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    North Park University

    Chicago, IL • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Chicago, IL

    Private, Non-Profit, City

    67% acceptance rate
    1,834 undergraduate students
    61% graduation rate
    $18,956 average per year after aid
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    About the Data

    We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    State Grants in Illinois

    Most states offer their own state-wide grants to help residents obtain an affordable education. Here are some of the most prominent state-wide grants in Illinois:

    Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP)

    The MAP program offers need-based grants to Illinois students who are attending an approved Illinois college. They have no test score or grade requirements, and students of all ages are eligible. 

    Illinois Commitment Program

    The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a need-based full-tuition grant for in-state students. They’ll cover your full tuition and fees for four years if you qualify. The income threshold changes every year, so check their website for up-to-date information.

    Illinois Tuition Reciprocity Agreements

    Illinois as a state does not participate in any tuition reciprocity programs as of 2023. However, Illinois State University has struck up its own reciprocity program with Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. That means students from any of those states can attend Illinois State for in-state tuition rates.

    Other college lists to explore

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the hardest Illinois college to get into?

    University of Chicago and Northwestern University are the two Illinois colleges with the lowest admissions rates. Both schools are located in the Chicago area, and they have very strong academics and alumni networks.

    Despite their low admission rates, it’s important to remember that every school is different, and a student’s application may catch an admissions officer’s eye at one school but not another. Don’t let a low admission rate discourage you from applying; remember, it’s important to apply to a couple of reach schools!

    Why should I study in Illinois?

    Illinois is a great state to attend college; In addition to the state’s many strong academic institutions, it is home to Chicago, a bustling city with great opportunities for employment, networking, and cultural enrichment. Illinois also has a lower cost of living than many comparable states. 

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