2026 Best Science & Tech Schools in Illinois
Looking for the best Science & Tech degree programs in Illinois? This list ranks 240 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated 188 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Degree Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 Science & Tech school in Illinois. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Northwestern University profile
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top choices in Illinois. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Out of the 188 schools in Illinois in this year's ranking, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
A rank of #4 makes Illinois Wesleyan University one of the top choices in Illinois. Located in Bloomington, IL, Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,704. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Illinois Wesleyan University profile
Out of the 188 schools in Illinois in this year's ranking, Rasmussen College Illinois landed the #5 spot. This private for-profit school is set in Rockford, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,581. Rasmussen College Illinois Science & Tech students take on a median of $28,798 in debt. See the full Rasmussen College Illinois profile
Lake Forest College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Lake Forest, IL, Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lake Forest College posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,661. More on Lake Forest College
Augustana College Illinois ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school based in Rock Island, IL. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,764. Get the full Augustana College Illinois report
Illinois State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $21,896. More on Illinois State University
University Of St Francis came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on University Of St Francis
Harper College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Palatine, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Harper College
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #11 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Wheaton College Illinois Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,292 in debt. Get the full Wheaton College Illinois report
Bradley University did well this year, earning the #12 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Peoria, IL. Bradley University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Bradley University
Loyola University Chicago came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Loyola University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. The median Science & Tech program debt is $23,521. See the full Loyola University Chicago profile
Elmhurst College landed the #14 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. The median Science & Tech program debt is $22,400. See the full Elmhurst College profile
Trinity Christian College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit school based in Palos Heights, IL. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,605. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $28,722. Read more about Trinity Christian College
Dominican University landed the #16 spot in Illinois this year. Based in River Forest, IL, Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution. Dominican University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,236. Read the full report on Dominican University
Western Illinois University landed the #17 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Western Illinois University Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,639 in debt. See the full Western Illinois University profile
Lewis University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Lewis University report
Aurora University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Aurora, IL, Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,170. Graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Get the full Aurora University report
North Central College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. North Central College is a private not-for-profit school based in Naperville, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,726. North Central College Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,699 in debt. Get the full North Central College report
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #21 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. More on Illinois Institute Of Technology
College Of Lake County ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Grayslake, IL, College Of Lake County is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Read the full report on College Of Lake County
Devry University Illinois ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Lisle, IL, Devry University Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Devry University Illinois graduates 18% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $43,684 in student loans. Read more about Devry University Illinois
Olivet Nazarene University placed #24 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. Based in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,797. More on Olivet Nazarene University
Waubonsee Community College landed the #25 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Sugar Grove, IL, Waubonsee Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Waubonsee Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $9,939 in debt. Read more about Waubonsee Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Degree Schools in Illinois
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Joliet Junior College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Joliet Junior College is a public school based in Joliet, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. The median Science & Tech program debt is $11,995. More on Joliet Junior College
Concordia University Chicago landed the #27 spot in Illinois this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. Concordia University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 36%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Concordia University Chicago profile
Elgin Community College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Elgin Community College is a public school based in Elgin, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Elgin Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $7,727 in debt. Get the full Elgin Community College report
Northern Illinois University landed the #29 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Dekalb, IL, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Northern Illinois University
Oakton Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Des Plaines, IL, Oakton Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $7,750. Read more about Oakton Community College
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $20,115. Read more about University Of Illinois At Chicago
Judson University placed #32 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. Located in Elgin, IL, Judson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,297. Judson University Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,685 in debt. Read the full report on Judson University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Depaul University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Set in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Depaul University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,310 in debt. Read the full report on Depaul University
Mckendree University placed #35 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lebanon, IL. Mckendree University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Students from in state pay about $34,740 in tuition and fees. The median Science & Tech program debt is $24,362. Read the full report on Mckendree University
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This public school is set in Springfield, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $11,272. Get the full Lincoln Land Community College report
Benedictine University landed the #37 spot in Illinois this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lisle, IL. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $25,338. Get the full Benedictine University report
Eastern Illinois University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. See the full Eastern Illinois University profile
National Louis University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 30% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,245. Graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Read more about National Louis University
Millikin University landed the #40 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Decatur, IL, Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Millikin University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Millikin University Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,036 in debt. Read more about Millikin University
Rock Valley College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Rockford, IL, Rock Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $9,236. See the full Rock Valley College profile
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Edwardsville, IL. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Black Hawk College placed #43 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. Located in Moline, IL, Black Hawk College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. More on Black Hawk College
Illinois College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in Jacksonville, IL, Illinois College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,676. Graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. More on Illinois College
North Park University placed #45 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,710. The median Science & Tech program debt is $27,360. Read the full report on North Park University
Knox College placed #46 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. Located in Galesburg, IL, Knox College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $57,903 in tuition and fees. Knox College Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,420 in debt. Get the full Knox College report
Roosevelt University did well this year, earning the #47 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Read more about Roosevelt University
Mchenry County College placed #48 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. Set in Crystal Lake, IL, Mchenry County College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Mchenry County College Science & Tech students take on a median of $7,440 in debt. More on Mchenry County College
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Springfield, IL, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Springfield posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Get the full University Of Illinois At Springfield report
Columbia College Chicago placed #50 among Science & Tech schools in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Columbia College Chicago Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,557 in debt. Read more about Columbia College Chicago
More Science & Tech Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 188 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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