Colleges in Illinois

There are fewer schools than is typical in this state, but students should remember quality is more important than quantity. The average in-state tuition for students attending college in Illinois is $17,959, while the average out-of-state tuition is $23,994.

About 45% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $6,333.

Browse the biggest schools below sorted by largest to smallest in size:

There are 32,613 full-time undergraduates at UIUC, and 48,216 students altogether. It takes the average UIUC undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 62%. Of the accepted students, 52% are men and 48% are women.

42% of UIUC students take out loans to afford college costs. Most of these students take out loans totaling $6,686. The student loan default rate of 2.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The average earnings of bachelor-degree holders from UIUC is $61,500.

There are approximately 27,099 students at Chamberlain - Illinois in total, 2,963 of which are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average Chamberlain - Illinois undergraduate about 4 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 62%. Around 16% of accepted students are men, and 84% are women.

Approximately 81% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical loan amount is $9,542. The student loan default rate of 3.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate for Chamberlain - Illinois with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $58,400 after graduation.

The total student population at Northwestern University is 22,008, of which 8,205 students are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average Northwestern U undergraduate about 4.1 years to complete their degree.

The acceptance rate at Northwestern U is 9%, making it one of the most selective schools in the country. Of the accepted students, 49% are men and 51% are women.

Roughly, 17% of students at Northwestern U take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of these loans is $7,024. Northwestern U has a 1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

$69,000 is the average amount a bachelor-degree holder from Northwestern U earns.

The total student population at University of Illinois at Chicago is 30,539, of which 17,961 students are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average UIC undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 77%. Around 43% of accepted students are men, and 57% are women.

Roughly, 41% of students at UIC take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of these loans is $6,273. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The typical graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UIC earns $54,300.

There are 12,886 full-time undergraduates at DePaul, and 22,769 students altogether. Students tend to stick around at DePaul. The freshman retention rate is 84%.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 72%. Around 39% of accepted students are men, and 61% are women.

59% of DePaul students take out loans to afford college costs. Most of these students take out loans totaling $6,910. The student loan default rate of 4.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor-degree holder from this school earns $53,300.

There are approximately 20,784 students at Illinois State in total, 17,165 of which are full-time undergraduates. Students tend to stick around at Illinois State. The freshman retention rate is 81%.

89% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 40% are men and 60% are women.

Approximately 63% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical loan amount is $7,828. Illinois State has a 3.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor-degree holder from this school earns $47,100.

There are approximately 16,227 students at UChicago in total, 6,288 of which are full-time undergraduates. The school has an admirable student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1.

Only 9% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 51% are men and 49% are women.

9% of UChicago students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of these loans is $10,381. UChicago has a 0.8% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

$68,100 is the average amount a bachelor-degree holder from UChicago earns.

The total student population at DeVry University - Illinois is 16,964, of which 4,234 students are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average DeVry University - Illinois undergraduate about 4.4 years to complete their degree.

95% of students who apply get accepted. Around 30% of accepted students are men, and 70% are women.

Roughly, 92% of students at DeVry University - Illinois take out loans to pay for college. The typical loan amount is $7,666. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 11.2% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%!

The average earnings of bachelor-degree holders from DeVry University - Illinois is $44,100.

There are 8,510 full-time undergraduates at COD, and 26,165 students altogether.

Approximately 61% of the students who attend this school take out loans. Most of these students take out loans totaling $4,651. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 14.1% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%!

The typical graduate with a bachelor’s degree from COD earns $36,600.

There are approximately 16,673 students at Loyola Chicago in total, 10,681 of which are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average Loyola Chicago undergraduate about 4.1 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 71%. Around 31% of accepted students are men, and 69% are women.

Approximately 62% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of these loans is $8,772. The student loan default rate of 3.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate for Loyola Chicago with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $54,100 after graduation.

The total student population at Northern Illinois University is 18,045, of which 11,788 students are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average NIU undergraduate about 4.6 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 53%. Of the accepted students, 43% are men and 57% are women.

Roughly, 74% of students at NIU take out loans to pay for college. Most of these students take out loans totaling $7,535. The student loan default rate of 7.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The typical graduate with a bachelor’s degree from NIU earns $45,500.

There are 9,455 full-time undergraduates at SIUC, and 14,554 students altogether. It takes the average SIUC undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 76%. Of the accepted students, 45% are men and 55% are women.

68% of SIUC students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical loan amount is $6,804. The student loan default rate of 9.4% is very similar to the national average.

Students who graduate for SIUC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $42,900 after graduation.

There are approximately 14,620 students at MVCC in total, 5,942 of which are full-time undergraduates.

Approximately 9% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of these loans is $4,431. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 11.6% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor-degree holder from this school earns $33,700.

There are 4,882 full-time undergraduates at Harper College, and 13,749 students altogether.

Roughly, 7% of students at Harper College take out loans to pay for college. The typical loan amount is $4,694. This school’s student loan default rate of 10.8% is close to the national average.

$37,300 is the average amount a bachelor-degree holder from Harper College earns.

The total student population at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 13,796, of which 9,550 students are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average SIUE undergraduate about 4.6 years to complete their degree.

90% of students who apply get accepted. Around 40% of accepted students are men, and 60% are women.

60% of SIUE students take out loans to afford college costs. Most of these students take out loans totaling $6,189. The school reports a student loan default rate of 6.3% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The average earnings of bachelor-degree holders from SIUE is $43,000.

There are 2,311 full-time undergraduates at Lake Land College, and 4,965 students altogether.

Approximately 11% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of these loans is $3,308. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 18.5% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor-degree holder from this school earns $29,100.

There are approximately 14,590 students at College of Lake County in total, 4,222 of which are full-time undergraduates.

Roughly, 6% of students at College of Lake County take out loans to pay for college. Most of these students take out loans totaling $4,458. This school’s student loan default rate of 10.3% is close to the national average.

$33,800 is the average amount a bachelor-degree holder from College of Lake County earns.

The total student population at Joliet Junior College is 14,910, of which 4,924 students are full-time undergraduates.

14% of Joliet Junior College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical loan amount is $3,097. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 11.1% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%!

The typical graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Joliet Junior College earns $31,200.

The total student population at Western Illinois University is 9,441, of which 6,668 students are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average WIU undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 60%. Around 41% of accepted students are men, and 59% are women.

Approximately 72% of the students who attend this school take out loans. Most of these students take out loans totaling $7,426. The school reports a student loan default rate of 8.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The average earnings of bachelor-degree holders from WIU is $43,200.

There are approximately 7,164 students at Illinois Tech in total, 2,631 of which are full-time undergraduates. Students tend to stick around at Illinois Tech. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 54%. Of the accepted students, 64% are men and 36% are women.

Roughly, 53% of students at Illinois Tech take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of these loans is $6,976. Illinois Tech has a 2.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate for Illinois Tech with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $69,100 after graduation.

There are 3,798 full-time undergraduates at SWIC, and 8,859 students altogether.

21% of SWIC students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical loan amount is $3,426. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 23.1% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%!

The typical graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SWIC earns $26,900.

The total student population at Elgin Community College is 9,599, of which 3,215 students are full-time undergraduates.

Approximately 7% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical loan amount is $3,674. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 12.2% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%!

$32,300 is the average amount a bachelor-degree holder from ECC earns.

There are 4,319 full-time undergraduates at EIU, and 7,030 students altogether. It takes the average EIU undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 52%. Around 39% of accepted students are men, and 61% are women.

72% of EIU students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of these loans is $6,872. The student loan default rate of 6.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor-degree holder from this school earns $42,200.

There are approximately 9,699 students at AIU Online in total, 4,019 of which are full-time undergraduates.

Roughly, 73% of students at AIU Online take out loans to pay for college. Most of these students take out loans totaling $6,459. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 19.8% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%!

The average earnings of bachelor-degree holders from AIU Online is $37,300.

There are approximately 8,984 students at Northeastern Illinois University in total, 4,164 of which are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average Northeastern Illinois University undergraduate about 5.2 years to complete their degree.

About 69% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 41% are men and 59% are women.

Roughly, 31% of students at Northeastern Illinois University take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of these loans is $6,805. The school reports a student loan default rate of 6.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate for Northeastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $37,900 after graduation.

The total student population at Benedictine University is 5,100, of which 2,473 students are full-time undergraduates. It takes the average Benedictine U undergraduate about 4.3 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone: It has an acceptance rate of 62%. Around 39% of accepted students are men, and 61% are women.

Approximately 72% of the students who attend this school take out loans. Most of these students take out loans totaling $6,779. The student loan default rate of 4.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate for Benedictine U with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $49,000 after graduation.