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Best Colleges in Illinois 2026

Rankings based on graduation rates, earnings, selectivity, and affordability. See our methodology.

Illinois has 160 colleges and universities in our database; 122 report the graduation-rate data our ranking requires. The top 25 are ranked below by a fixed four-factor formula: 6-year graduation rate (30%), median earnings 10 years after entry (30%), admission selectivity (20%), and in-state tuition affordability (20%).
25
Schools Ranked
$56,915
Avg. Earnings
63.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
# School Graduation Rate Median Earnings Acceptance Rate In-State Tuition
1 84.9% $81,054 44.8% $16,004
2 94.9% $91,885 5.4% $66,939
3 95.9% $89,363 7.2% $65,997
4 75.0% $69,800 33.3% $18,008
5 66.7% $63,571 $19,900
6 82.5% $70,871 42.2% $55,704
7 62.1% $37,533 $4,390
8 60.3% $68,740 78.7% $14,338
9 50.0% $92,405 90.9% $20,604
10 59.2% $37,533 $4,390
11 60.4% $35,775 $4,500
12 72.4% $82,592 61.4% $51,763
13 45.6% $48,071 $3,822
14 53.5% $38,877 $4,280
15 51.8% $40,768 $5,460
16 66.3% $62,117 86.2% $16,021
17 51.5% $40,458 $5,190
18 53.3% $37,533 $4,390
19 67.9% $26,209 $7,508
20 69.2% $61,574 76.5% $24,800
21 58.2% $43,038 $15,400
22 61.4% $57,103 82.0% $12,252
23 63.9% $55,700 70.7% $20,325
24 41.1% $45,516 $3,180
25 41.0% $44,788 $3,432

Browse all colleges in Illinois →

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See our methodology for how rankings are calculated.