Skip to main content

Urban Colleges in Illinois

50 schools in Illinois. See our methodology.

Illinois urban colleges present stark contrasts in selectivity and outcomes. Northwestern University accepts just 7.21% of applicants while maintaining a 95.9% graduation rate, yet University of Illinois Springfield welcomes 82% of students at half the net price. Chicago anchors the state's higher education market with institutions ranging from the University of Chicago's $91,885 median earnings to community colleges serving thousands at under $6,000 annually. The state's MAP Grant program supports low-income students across all 73 institutions, connecting them to Illinois's finance, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. Chicago's job market particularly benefits graduates from DePaul University's 14,283 students and Illinois Institute of Technology's focused STEM programs. Small schools like Methodist College in Peoria produce $69,800 median earnings with just 374 students, while massive University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign enrolls over 34,000 students who earn $81,054 after graduation. This range reflects Illinois's economic diversity, from Chicago's corporate headquarters to manufacturing centers throughout the state.
50
Schools
$14,714
Avg. Net Price
$51,113
Avg. Earnings
50.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in Illinois

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Small 34,623 $15,201 84.9%
2 City-Large 7,540 $18,967 94.9%
3 City-Small 8,960 $27,143 95.9%
4 City-Midsize 374 $14,867 75.0%
5 City-Small 1,570 $29,550 82.5%
6 City-Large 21,814 $12,313 60.3%
7 City-Large 2,812 $19,353 72.4%
8 City-Large 19 67.9%
9 City-Midsize 2,292 $8,916 61.4%
10 City-Midsize 6,463 $5,778 41.1%
11 City-Small 1,412 $5,393 46.5%
12 City-Small 2,418 $12,437 79.2%
13 City-Midsize 3,865 $23,572 72.1%
14 City-Midsize 733 $19,198 61.5%
15 City-Large 14,283 $29,141 70.0%
16 City-Small 81 $11,197 73.1%
17 City-Small 2,266 $6,718 43.2%
18 City-Small 6,229 $6,188 31.4%
19 City-Midsize 2,360 $23,033 71.1%
20 City-Midsize 4,362 $7,325 39.5%
21 City-Large 11,576 $35,196 76.9%
22 City-Small 1,904 $5,190 38.2%
23 City-Midsize 780 $25,027 53.3%
24 City-Large 4,186 $2,651 32.5%
25 City-Small 3,293 $8,271 32.5%
26 City-Large 1,844 $18,191 56.0%
27 City-Midsize 1,330 $18,470 40.0%
28 City-Small 1,458 $8,837 59.1%
29 City-Large 2,248 $3,816 31.5%
30 City-Large 31
31 City-Large 1,586 $25,007 62.0%
32 City-Large 2,540 $3,166 27.6%
33 City-Large 4,146 $2,974 28.6%
34 City-Large 70 $14,735 67.6%
35 City-Large 3,030 $12,093 59.0%
36 City-Large 1,564 $4,902 25.5%
37 City-Large 749 $17,082 27.7%
38 City-Midsize 956 $23,066 38.3%
39 City-Large 3,869 $13,550 16.8%
40 City-Midsize 152
41 City-Large 1,414 $10,133 16.9%
42 City-Large 1,425 $5,749 19.5%
43 City-Large 824 $11,466 63.1%
44 City-Large 5,847 $3,729 14.4%
45 City-Large 2,583 $20,152 41.0%
46 City-Large 4,100 $16,157 36.9%
47 City-Large 90 $34,298 45.0%
48 City-Midsize 76
49 City-Large 317 $19,558 6.5%
50 City-Large 70 $17,094 46.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Chicago stand out among Illinois urban colleges?

University of Chicago accepts only 5.43% of applicants, the lowest rate among Illinois urban schools, while achieving the highest median graduate earnings at $91,885. With 7,540 students and a 94.9% graduation rate, it represents one of the most selective yet successful pathways in the state's higher education system.

How affordable are community colleges in Illinois cities?

Community colleges like Richland Community College charge just $5,393 annually, the lowest in the state, while Elgin Community College serves 6,463 students at $5,778 per year. These schools provide accessible entry points with graduates earning $38,793 to $45,516, supported by Illinois MAP Grant funding.

Does University of Illinois have multiple urban campuses?

Yes, University of Illinois operates campuses in Chicago with 21,814 students and Springfield with 2,292 students, alongside the flagship Urbana-Champaign campus. The Chicago campus accepts 78.69% of applicants and graduates earn $68,740, while Springfield accepts 82% with $57,103 median earnings.

What career outcomes do Illinois urban college graduates achieve?

Graduate earnings range from $26,209 at specialized health colleges to $91,885 at University of Chicago. Illinois Institute of Technology produces $82,592 median earnings for its 2,812 students, reflecting the state's strong technology and engineering job market centered in Chicago.

Where do students find the best value in Illinois urban colleges?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers strong value with $15,201 net costs, 84.9% graduation rates, and $81,054 median earnings for 34,623 students. Methodist College provides another strong option at $14,867 with 75% graduation rates and $69,800 earnings despite serving just 374 students.

How competitive are admissions at top Illinois urban colleges?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from University of Chicago's 5.43% to University of Illinois Springfield's 82.03%. Northwestern University accepts 7.21% while maintaining 95.9% graduation rates. Mid-tier schools like Illinois Wesleyan accept 42.22% of applicants with strong 82.5% completion rates.

Related

Urban Colleges Nationally All Colleges in Illinois Cheapest Programs in Illinois

See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.