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Suburban Colleges in Illinois

43 schools in Illinois. See our methodology.

Suburban Illinois colleges present striking value contrasts, from Moraine Valley Community College's $1,771 net price to Wheaton College's $26,984 cost. Chamberlain University-Illinois leads earnings outcomes at $92,405 annually, while its 90.91% acceptance rate makes healthcare career training accessible to most applicants. The state's 43 suburban institutions serve 91,000+ students across communities from Addison to Wheeling, creating pathways into Chicago's finance and healthcare sectors. Illinois State University anchors the group with 18,414 students and strong 66.3% graduation rates, while specialized programs like Worsham College of Mortuary Science achieve 69.2% completion despite serving just 187 students. Community colleges dominate the affordable end, with Harper College and College of Lake County each enrolling over 8,000 students at under $7,000 net cost. These schools benefit from Illinois MAP Grant funding for low-income students and proximity to Chicago's job market, where finance and manufacturing employers actively recruit graduates. The earnings range spans $36,884 to $92,405, reflecting varied career tracks from associate-level positions to specialized healthcare roles.
43
Schools
$15,210
Avg. Net Price
$52,081
Avg. Earnings
49.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Suburban Colleges in Illinois

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 Suburb-Large 12,188 $26,933 50.0%
2 Suburb-Large 8,815 $6,186 45.6%
3 Suburb-Midsize 2,991 $11,389 51.8%
4 Suburb-Midsize 18,414 $18,996 66.3%
5 Suburb-Large 187 $23,925 69.2%
6 Suburb-Large 796 $16,381 63.9%
7 Suburb-Large 1,292 $16,284 64.6%
8 Suburb-Small 2,252 $4,281 47.8%
9 Suburb-Small 11,277 $12,909 49.6%
10 Suburb-Large 9,282 $6,212 38.3%
11 Suburb-Large 2,087 $26,984 86.6%
12 Suburb-Large 7,417 $1,771 33.2%
13 Suburb-Large 4,909 $11,510 40.4%
14 Suburb-Large 3,665 $18,370 62.6%
15 Suburb-Large 5,280 $7,210 36.9%
16 Suburb-Large 25,975 $30,878 36.9%
17 Suburb-Large 1,600 $24,190 59.5%
18 Suburb-Large 15,185 $6,182 24.2%
19 Suburb-Small 2,485 $21,539 60.3%
20 Suburb-Large 1,782 $27,499 70.4%
21 Suburb-Large 6,229 $4,427 29.1%
22 Suburb-Large 8,836 $13,696 55.0%
23 Suburb-Large 2,593 $6,763 28.3%
24 Suburb-Large 4,021 $18,992 58.3%
25 Suburb-Large 2,954 $21,063 65.2%
26 Suburb-Large 2,518 $9,477 19.6%
27 Suburb-Large 8,843 $5,741 20.8%
28 Suburb-Large 2,271 $15,113 62.4%
29 Suburb-Large 239 $13,506 44.4%
30 Suburb-Large 2,012 $2,919 24.2%
31 Suburb-Large 140 $21,386 45.7%
32 Suburb-Large 2,448 $5,280 19.1%
33 Suburb-Large 464 $24,929 33.7%
34 Suburb-Large 1,345 $24,334 65.3%
35 Suburb-Large 1,817 $23,529 51.0%
36 Suburb-Large 90 100.0%
37 Suburb-Large 1,337 $16,774 47.4%
38 Suburb-Large 195
39 Suburb-Large 22
40 Suburb-Large
41 Suburb-Large
42 Suburb-Large
43 Suburb-Large

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Chamberlain University-Illinois stand out among suburban colleges?

Chamberlain leads all suburban Illinois colleges in graduate earnings at $92,405 annually while maintaining a 90.91% acceptance rate. The healthcare-focused university serves 12,188 students in Addison, combining accessible admissions with strong career outcomes that reflect high demand for nursing and health science professionals in the Chicago metropolitan area.

How do community college costs compare to four-year options in suburban Illinois?

Community colleges average under $7,000 net price, with Moraine Valley Community College at just $1,771 annually. Four-year private colleges like Wheaton cost $26,984, while public Illinois State University charges $18,996. This $25,000+ price gap allows students to complete prerequisites affordably before transferring or entering the workforce directly.

Does location within suburban Illinois affect college outcomes significantly?

Schools closer to Chicago generally show higher graduate earnings, reflecting regional job market access. Harper College in Palatine produces $48,071 earners, while Southwestern Illinois College near St. Louis averages $36,884. However, specialized programs can overcome geography, as seen with Worsham College's mortuary science graduates earning $61,574 despite Wheeling's smaller market.

What graduation rate patterns exist among different suburban college types?

Private colleges lead graduation rates, with Wheaton College achieving 86.6% and Trinity Christian College reaching 63.9%. Public four-year universities like Illinois State manage 66.3%, while community colleges average 30-50% completion. Specialized schools like Worsham College of Mortuary Science achieve 69.2% despite serving only 187 students in focused programs.

How selective are suburban Illinois colleges for prospective students?

Most suburban Illinois colleges accept 70-90% of applicants, making them accessible options. University of St Francis shows the lowest acceptance at 58.42%, while Chamberlain University admits 90.91% of applicants. This high acceptance pattern reflects these schools' mission to serve regional students rather than compete nationally for selective admissions.

Where do suburban college graduates typically find employment after graduation?

Chicago's finance and healthcare sectors employ many graduates, with manufacturing and logistics companies also recruiting heavily. Earnings ranging from $36,884 to $92,405 reflect varied career paths from associate-level positions to specialized healthcare roles. Illinois MAP Grant recipients often stay regional, contributing to local economic development while building careers.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.