2023 Most Popular Schools in Illinois
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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 230 schools in Illinois to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to be the most popular school for students in Illinois. This large public school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 15,117 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,891 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $415 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,270 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Out of the 230 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the # 2 spot on the list. Addison, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 12,793 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Chamberlain - Illinois accumulate an average of $37,103 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $256, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Chamberlain - Illinois graduates make an average of $83,241 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.
Out of the 230 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,290 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $576. During the early years of their career, Northwestern graduates make an average of $69,538 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
The programs at University of Illinois at Chicago helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Illinois. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 8,910 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UIC accumulate an average of $19,801 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $259, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UIC graduates make an average of $53,836 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
The programs at DeVry University - Illinois helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Illinois. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 6,865 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,148 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $163, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
University of Chicago ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Illinois list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,805 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,217 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $708, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UChicago graduates make an average of $62,519 annually. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, DePaul University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 6,382 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,047 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $517 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DePaul graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,846 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Illinois State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Normal, Illinois, the large public school handed out 5,907 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Illinois State accumulate an average of $21,109 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $312, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Illinois State graduates make an average of $44,092 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5,599 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,930 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $652. Once they receive their degree, Loyola Chicago graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,459 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
William Rainey Harper College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Illinois list. This fairly large public school is located in Palatine, Illinois, and it awarded 4,517 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,850 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Harper College graduates make an average of $43,420 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Northern Illinois University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 4,499 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,759 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $216. During the early years of their career, NIU graduates make an average of $48,041 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
College of Lake County landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 3,676 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from College of Lake County accumulate an average of $15,341 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, College of Lake County graduates make an average of $53,083 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 3,453 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SIUC accumulate an average of $23,594 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $165. During the early years of their career, SIUC graduates make an average of $42,413 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 3,339 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from MVCC accumulate an average of $15,006 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from MVCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,287 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
College of DuPage landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the large public school awarded 3,289 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,650 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, COD graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $24,970 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #16, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 3,247 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,579 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $221, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SIUE, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,746 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Joliet Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 2,706 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of $13,642 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Joliet Junior College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,492 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Illinois ranking. Southwestern Illinois College is a medium-sized public school located in Belleville, Illinois that handed out 2,363 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $12,518 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SWIC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,934 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Aurora University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Aurora, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,259 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,543 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $198 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Aurora graduates make an average of $47,673 annually. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
National Louis University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Illinois list. NLU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 2,175 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,209 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $479 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from NLU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,291 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
Western Illinois University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Illinois list. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,171 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WIU accumulate an average of $28,617 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $266, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,708 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Elgin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. ECC is a medium-sized public school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 2,154 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,212 in student loans.After graduating from ECC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,352 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Illinois ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 2,139 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,601 in student loans.After graduating from Harold Washington College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $25,960 during the early years of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Report
Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Illinois list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 2,044 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,232 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Illinois Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $68,021 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
With a ranking of #25, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in River Forest, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 2,010 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Concordia University, Chicago accumulate an average of $26,522 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Concordia University, Chicago graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,770 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in Illinois
Not only did these schools make the top 35 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL |
| 37 | Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL |
| 38 | City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL |
| 39 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL |
| 40 | Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL |
| 41 | Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL |
| 42 | Triton College | River Grove, IL |
| 43 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| 44 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL |
| 45 | Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL |
| 46 | Governors State University | University Park, IL |
| 47 | Heartland Community College | Normal, IL |
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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