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Most Popular Doctor's Degree Schools in Illinois

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2023 Most Popular Doctor's Degree Schools in Illinois

56 Schools Ranked

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Doctor's Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 56 schools in Illinois to see which doctor's degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

1,425 Total Awards
$17,277 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found University of Illinois at Chicago to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a doctor’s degree in Illinois. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large public school handed out 1,425 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UIC. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
1,028 Total Awards
$56,567 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 56 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,028 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Northwestern, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 2% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Northwestern University

991 Total Awards
$17,823 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 991 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.

UIUC does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

#4

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
755 Total Awards
$63,936 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 755 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on University of Chicago

565 Total Awards
$14,090 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Illinois is a great place for students working on their doctor’s degree. This large private for-profit school is located in Addison, Illinois, and it awarded 565 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Chamberlain - Illinois are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Chamberlain University - Illinois Report

#6

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
521 Total Awards
$19,894 Average Tuition & Fees

Loyola University Chicago landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree programs. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 521 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Loyola Chicago does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 92% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#7

Midwestern University - Downers Grove

Downers Grove, Illinois
663 Total Awards
$47,207 Average Tuition & Fees

Midwestern University - Downers Grove did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Downers Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 663 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Midwestern University - Downers Grove

#8

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois
355 Total Awards

Rush University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Rush University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 355 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

Rush University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Rush University

416 Total Awards
$36,765 Average Tuition & Fees

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in North Chicago, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 416 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at RFUMS. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 18% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

#10

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, Illinois
314 Total Awards
$30,822 Average Tuition & Fees

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 314 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.

Illinois Tech does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 42% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#11

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
275 Total Awards
$18,341 Average Tuition & Fees

DePaul University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. DePaul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 275 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

One thing to take note of is that DePaul does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full DePaul University Report

235 Total Awards
$16,162 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 235 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at SIUC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Report

#13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, Illinois
211 Total Awards
$9,316 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 211 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

SIUE does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report

#14

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
207 Total Awards
$11,390 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Illinois University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 207 students in 2020-2021.

Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

NIU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#15

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
139 Total Awards
$12,096 Average Tuition & Fees

National Louis University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 139 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.

NLU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on National Louis University

#16

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
137 Total Awards
$9,378 Average Tuition & Fees

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 137 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Concordia University, Chicago does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 98% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Concordia University, Chicago

#17

Illinois College of Optometry

Chicago, Illinois
126 Total Awards

With a ranking of #17, Illinois College of Optometry did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 126 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

Read More…

122 Total Awards

With a ranking of #18, National University of Health Sciences did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their doctor’s degree. National College of Chiropractic is located in Lombard, Illinois and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at National College of Chiropractic are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full National University of Health Sciences Report

107 Total Awards
$23,918 Average Tuition & Fees

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree programs. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 107 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

The Chicago School Chicago Campus does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 28% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#20

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
95 Total Awards
$21,605 Average Tuition & Fees

Roosevelt University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Roosevelt is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 95 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Roosevelt. During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#21

Adler University

Chicago, Illinois
86 Total Awards
$42,004 Average Tuition & Fees

Adler University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree programs. Adler is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 86 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Adler does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 31% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
67 Total Awards
$17,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Bradley University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. Bradley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 67 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bradley does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bradley University

#23

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
58 Total Awards
$9,728 Average Tuition & Fees

Chicago State University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois list. CSU is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 58 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

CSU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 27% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#24

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
53 Total Awards
$9,773 Average Tuition & Fees

Illinois State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in Normal, Illinois, the large public school awarded 53 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Illinois State does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 81% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Illinois State University Report

#25

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
39 Total Awards

Aurora University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Aurora, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 39 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

Aurora does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 87% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

Most Popular Doctor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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