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Illinois Colleges

156 Colleges
$80,438 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$23,783 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

In terms of yearly graduations, Illinois is ranked #5 in the country with 171,841 degrees handed out in 2021. Students who are able to take advantage of in-state tuition will only pay an average of $20,109 per year to get their degree at a college in Illinois, while out of state students will pay an average of $21,580 per year.

An estimated 43% of college students in Illinois take out loans, with the average loan amount being $5,946 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

Public Public vs. Private
$17,782 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
34% Freshmen Loans

There are 52,679 students at UIUC in total, 33,683 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 32,107 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 60%. Around 51% of accepted students are men, and 49% are women.

Approximately 34% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,428 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from UIUC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $63,509 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$20,410 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
72% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Chamberlain University - Illinois is 29,481, of which 14,851 students are undergraduates and of those, 3,100 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Chamberlain - Illinois is 4.0 years.

Around 93% of students who apply get accepted. Around 27% of accepted students are men, and 73% are women.

72% of Chamberlain - Illinois students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,464 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Chamberlain - Illinois is $76,330.

#3

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$63,468 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
23% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Northwestern University is 22,603, of which 8,559 students are undergraduates and of those, 8,095 are full-time. The freshman retention rate at Northwestern is 99%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

The acceptance rate at Northwestern is 7%, making it one of the most selective schools in the country. Around 44% of accepted students are men, and 56% are women.

Roughly 23% of students at Northwestern take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $7,393 a year. Northwestern has a 0.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Northwestern with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $72,370 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
$15,472 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
22% Freshmen Loans

There are 21,921 undergraduates at UIC, of which 20,023 are full-time, and there are 33,518 students altogether. It takes the average UIC undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

About 79% of students who apply get accepted. Around 40% of accepted students are men, and 60% are women.

Approximately 22% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,873 a year. UIC has a 0.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from UIC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $52,246 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#5

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$62,940 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
7% Freshmen Loans

There are 17,834 students at UChicago in total, 7,056 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 7,020 are full-time. The freshman retention rate at UChicago is 99%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

This a very selective school with only 6% of students getting accepted. Of the accepted students, 51% are men and 49% are women.

Roughly 7% of students at UChicago take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $13,636 a year. UChicago has a 0.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from UChicago is $70,086.

#6

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$43,100 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
48% Freshmen Loans

There are 14,145 undergraduates at DePaul, of which 12,776 are full-time, and there are 21,922 students altogether. It takes the average DePaul undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 69%. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

48% of DePaul students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,716 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.0% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from DePaul is $54,399.

#7

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$13,941 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
48% Freshmen Loans

There are 20,720 students at Illinois State in total, 17,987 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 16,666 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Illinois State is 4.3 years.

Around 92% of students who apply get accepted. Around 38% of accepted students are men, and 62% are women.

48% of Illinois State students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $7,265 a year. Illinois State has a 1.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Illinois State is $50,073.

#8

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$49,498 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
45% Freshmen Loans

There are 11,612 undergraduates at Loyola Chicago, of which 10,924 are full-time, and there are 16,893 students altogether. For undergraduates at Loyola Chicago, the average graduation time is 4.1 years.

About 77% of students who apply get accepted. Around 30% of accepted students are men, and 70% are women.

Roughly 45% of students at Loyola Chicago take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $8,374 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Loyola Chicago is $55,895.

#9

DeVry University - Illinois

Naperville, Illinois
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$15,032 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
85% Freshmen Loans

There are 20,832 students at DeVry University - Illinois in total, 17,174 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 6,979 are full-time. It takes the average DeVry University - Illinois undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

About 46% of students who apply get accepted. Around 37% of accepted students are men, and 63% are women.

Approximately 85% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $7,897 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.3% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $38,520 during the early-career years.

#10

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$12,472 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
59% Freshmen Loans

There are 12,277 undergraduates at NIU, of which 10,472 are full-time, and there are 16,769 students altogether. For undergraduates at NIU, the average graduation time is 4.6 years.

About 70% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 40% are men and 60% are women.

59% of NIU students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,236 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from NIU with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $44,600 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$12,422 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
72% Freshmen Loans

There are 12,830 undergraduates at AIU Online, of which 11,471 are full-time, and there are 15,415 students altogether. It takes the average AIU Online undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

Roughly 72% of students at AIU Online take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,231 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from AIU Online with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $32,183 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
$15,416 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
58% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 11,366, of which 8,299 students are undergraduates and of those, 6,796 are full-time. It takes the average SIUC undergraduate about 4.4 years to complete their degree.

Around 95% of students who apply get accepted. Around 39% of accepted students are men, and 60% are women.

Approximately 58% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,969 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from SIUC is $41,805.

#13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$11,748 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
47% Freshmen Loans

There are 9,942 undergraduates at SIUE, of which 8,071 are full-time, and there are 12,860 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Around 98% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 34% are men and 66% are women.

Approximately 47% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,021 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from SIUE with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $43,850 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#14

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$27,420 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
56% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Aurora University is 6,265, of which 4,158 students are undergraduates and of those, 3,822 are full-time. For undergraduates at Aurora, the average graduation time is 4.3 years.

Around 86% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 41% are men and 59% are women.

Roughly 56% of students at Aurora take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $5,739 a year. Aurora has a 1.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Aurora is $48,078.

#15

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$9,810 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
19% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at College of DuPage is 21,010, which includes 7,255 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Roughly 19% of students at COD take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,610 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.0% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $36,679 during the early-career years.

#16

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$14,244 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
14% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at National Louis University is 7,402, of which 3,604 students are undergraduates and of those, 2,564 are full-time. For undergraduates at NLU, the average graduation time is 4.8 years.

Around 97% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 47% are men and 53% are women.

Roughly 14% of students at NLU take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,934 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $38,833 during the early-career years.

#17

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$13,661 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
51% Freshmen Loans

There are 5,854 undergraduates at WIU, of which 4,999 are full-time, and there are 7,490 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

About 72% of students who apply get accepted. Around 35% of accepted students are men, and 65% are women.

Roughly 51% of students at WIU take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,174 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from WIU is $42,165.

#18

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$50,279 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
47% Freshmen Loans

There are 6,325 students at Illinois Tech in total, 3,122 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 2,816 are full-time. It takes the average Illinois Tech undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 66%. Around 63% of accepted students are men, and 37% are women.

47% of Illinois Tech students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,578 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Illinois Tech with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $68,517 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#19

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$9,942 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
3% Freshmen Loans

There are 12,199 students at Harper College in total, 4,405 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

Roughly 3% of students at Harper College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,807 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.0% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Harper College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $39,208 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#20

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$34,964 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
64% Freshmen Loans

There are 6,491 students at Concordia University, Chicago in total, 1,538 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 1,284 are full-time. For undergraduates at Concordia University, Chicago, the average graduation time is 4.3 years.

Around 88% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 48% are men and 52% are women.

Roughly 64% of students at Concordia University, Chicago take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,937 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $41,421 during the early-career years.

#21

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$8,310 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
5% Freshmen Loans

There are 4,131 full-time undergraduates at MVCC, and 11,026 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Approximately 5% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $4,523 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $33,150 during the early-career years.

#22

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$32,441 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
66% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,779 students at Benedictine U in total, 2,299 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 1,939 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 80%. Around 46% of accepted students are men, and 54% are women.

Roughly 66% of students at Benedictine U take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,278 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Benedictine U is $47,725.

#23

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$12,809 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
63% Freshmen Loans

There are 6,969 undergraduates at EIU, of which 4,082 are full-time, and there are 8,626 students altogether. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at EIU is 4.4 years.

About 72% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 37% are men and 63% are women.

Roughly 63% of students at EIU take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,165 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $41,743 during the early-career years.

#24

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$36,530 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
55% Freshmen Loans

There are 4,306 undergraduates at Lewis, of which 3,484 are full-time, and there are 6,437 students altogether. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Lewis is 4.3 years.

About 71% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 44% are men and 56% are women.

Roughly 55% of students at Lewis take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $8,359 a year. Lewis has a 1.4% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Lewis with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $51,812 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#25

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, Illinois
Public Public vs. Private
$12,101 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
16% Freshmen Loans

There are 5,220 undergraduates at Northeastern Illinois University, of which 3,019 are full-time, and there are 7,119 students altogether. For undergraduates at Northeastern Illinois University, the average graduation time is 5.1 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 62%. Of the accepted students, 39% are men and 61% are women.

Approximately 16% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,190 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Northeastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $41,196 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Other Illinois Colleges

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Bradley University 1,675
27 Roosevelt University 1,639
28 Joliet Junior College 1,517
29 Columbia College Chicago 1,409
30 Olivet Nazarene University 1,335
31 City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College 1,283
32 College of Lake County 1,249
33 Governors State University 1,247
34 Elgin Community College 1,169
35 University of Illinois at Springfield 1,083
36 University of St Francis 1,069
37 Southwestern Illinois College 1,054
38 Waubonsee Community College 1,042
39 Elmhurst University 1,021
40 Saint Xavier University 978
41 Illinois Central College 971
42 Rock Valley College 953
43 Triton College 943
44 Augustana College 914
45 Midwestern University - Downers Grove 910
46 City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College 899
47 Parkland College 893
48 Dominican University 876
49 North Central College 874
50 Wheaton College Illinois 857
51 School of the Art Institute of Chicago 844
52 Rush University 815
53 Lincoln Land Community College 798
54 McHenry County College 770
55 Oakton Community College 745
56 City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College 739
57 Rasmussen University - Illinois 730
58 North Park University 713
59 Moody Bible Institute 706
60 McKendree University 674
61 Lewis and Clark Community College 663
62 Lake Land College 652
63 Heartland Community College 637
64 Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science 632
65 Chicago State University 511
66 Millikin University 503
67 Adler University 500
68 Oak Point University 495
69 Rend Lake College 482
70 Black Hawk College 479
71 Morton College 464
72 Lake Forest College 462
73 John Wood Community College 434
74 Prairie State College 422
75 Kaskaskia College 418
76 Kishwaukee College 412
77 Illinois Valley Community College 407
78 John A Logan College 397
79 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago 393
79 Illinois Wesleyan University 393
81 Kankakee Community College 386
82 City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College 385
83 Carl Sandburg College 362
84 Trinity Christian College 360
85 City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College 333
86 Rockford University 332
87 Trinity International University - Illinois 331
88 Richland Community College 330
89 Greenville University 325
90 South Suburban College 323
91 Knox College 318
92 Judson University 298
93 Illinois College 296
94 Fox College 293
95 Quincy University 270
96 Danville Area Community College 269
97 Olney Central College 264
98 Shawnee Community College 246
99 Monmouth College 242
100 Highland Community College 230
101 City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College 223
102 Sauk Valley Community College 222
103 Spoon River College 221
104 Lincoln College 212
105 Saint Augustine College 193
106 Methodist College 186
106 Lincoln Christian University 186
108 Southeastern Illinois College 172
109 Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing 163
110 Wabash Valley College 160
111 National University of Health Sciences 158
112 Erikson Institute 155
113 City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College 153
114 Lincoln Trail College 145
115 Eureka College 143
116 Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park 137
117 Illinois College of Optometry 126
118 Lake Forest Graduate School of Management 122
119 Northwestern College - Bridgeview 119
120 Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College 113
121 Blackburn College 103
122 Principia College 102
123 Frontier Community College 94
124 Saint Anthony College of Nursing 93
125 Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences 85
125 Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences 85
127 Midwestern Career College 84
128 Taylor Business Institute 83
129 Catholic Theological Union at Chicago 68
129 Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary 68
131 Hebrew Theological College 67
132 Northern Baptist Theological Seminary 65
133 Worsham College of Mortuary Science 64
134 East-West University 62
135 Lakeview College of Nursing 61
136 SAE Institute - Chicago 60
137 St. John’s College 57
138 VanderCook College of Music 52
139 McCormick Theological Seminary 49
139 Chicago Theological Seminary 49
141 University of Saint Mary of the Lake 47
142 Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 45
142 MacCormac College 45
144 American Academy of Art 34
145 Ambria College of Nursing 29
146 Spertus College 28
146 Pacific College of Health and Science 28
148 Morrison Institute of Technology 26
149 Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation 20
150 Institute for Clinical Social Work 19
151 Coyne College 16
152 Meadville Lombard Theological School 14
153 Midwest College of Oriental Medicine - Evanston 10
154 Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago 3
154 Telshe Yeshiva - Chicago 3
156 American Islamic College 2

References

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