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NCAA Division III Colleges in Illinois

20 schools in Illinois. See our methodology.

The University of Chicago stands as an outlier among Illinois Division III institutions, accepting just 5.43% of applicants while maintaining a graduation rate of 94.9% and producing graduates earning $91,885 annually. This selectivity contrasts sharply with schools like Wheaton College, which accepts 88.43% of students yet still achieves an 86.6% graduation rate. The state's 20 Division III colleges span net prices from $8,837 at Millikin University to $29,550 at Illinois Wesleyan, creating pathways into Chicago's finance sector and Illinois manufacturing base. Students can leverage the state's MAP Grant program to reduce costs at schools like Augustana College, where the $12,437 net price leads to $62,971 in median earnings. Illinois Institute of Technology graduates earn $82,592 despite the school's 72.4% graduation rate, reflecting strong demand for technical skills in Chicago's job market. Regional employers in healthcare and manufacturing actively recruit from these smaller campuses, where class sizes allow for direct faculty mentorship and research opportunities that larger universities cannot match.
20
Schools
$20,713
Avg. Net Price
$60,057
Avg. Earnings
63.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

NCAA Division III Colleges in Illinois

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 7,540 $18,967 94.9% 5.4%
2 1,570 $29,550 82.5% 42.2%
3 2,812 $19,353 72.4% 61.4%
4 2,418 $12,437 79.2% 61.2%
5 2,087 $26,984 86.6% 88.4%
6 2,360 $23,033 71.1% 60.9%
7 1,782 $27,499 70.4% 59.7%
8 4,021 $18,992 58.3% 81.9%
9 1,844 $18,191 56.0% 68.0%
10 1,458 $8,837 59.1% 75.4%
11 2,954 $21,063 65.2% 76.0%
12 341 $21,814 52.4% 64.4%
13 925 $17,945 61.1% 77.2%
14 956 $23,066 38.3% 54.9%
15 1,817 $23,529 51.0% 93.1%
16 997 $24,875 67.5% 73.3%
17 522 $22,048 40.6% 86.7%
18 725 $18,034 60.1% 90.7%
19 873 $21,270 51.4% 94.1%
20 1,337 $16,774 47.4% 93.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the University of Chicago different from other Illinois Division III schools?

The University of Chicago accepts only 5.43% of applicants, making it extremely selective compared to schools like Benedictine University at 93.12% acceptance. Chicago graduates earn $91,885 annually, significantly higher than the state average, and achieve a 94.9% graduation rate with 7,540 enrolled students.

How do net prices vary among Illinois Division III colleges?

Net prices range from $8,837 at Millikin University to $29,550 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Mid-range options include Augustana College at $12,437 and Illinois College at $17,945. The MAP Grant program helps Illinois residents reduce costs at participating institutions throughout the state.

Where do graduates from these schools typically find employment?

Illinois graduates enter Chicago's finance sector, state manufacturing companies, and regional healthcare systems. Schools like Illinois Institute of Technology, with graduates earning $82,592, feed directly into technical roles. The state's economy supports strong job placement across multiple industries for Division III alumni.

Is there a correlation between acceptance rates and graduation success?

Not necessarily. Wheaton College accepts 88.43% of students yet maintains an 86.6% graduation rate, while Rockford University accepts 54.91% but graduates only 38.3%. The University of Chicago's 5.43% acceptance rate corresponds with its 94.9% graduation rate, showing selectivity can predict retention.

What are the smallest and largest Division III programs in Illinois?

Blackburn College enrolls just 341 students, creating an intimate campus environment in Carlinville. The University of Chicago leads with 7,540 students, followed by Aurora University at 4,021. Most schools maintain enrollments between 1,500-3,000 students, balancing personal attention with campus resources.

How do earnings compare across different types of Illinois Division III schools?

Technical schools like Illinois Institute of Technology produce graduates earning $82,592, while liberal arts colleges vary widely. Illinois Wesleyan graduates earn $70,871, Wheaton College graduates make $63,756, and smaller schools like Blackburn College see $46,802 median earnings reflecting regional employment patterns.

Related

NCAA Division III Colleges Nationally All Colleges in Illinois Cheapest Programs in Illinois

See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.