Best Colleges in Illinois
Illinois is a Midwestern state with largely hot, humid summers and cold winters. While Chicago may be the most widely-known city, considered a microcosm of the US, the state capital is actually Springfield, a city in the Southern part of the a state. Colleges in Illinois include 2-year, 4-year, and technical institutions, among non- and for-profit options. The largest institution in the state is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, while the highest-ranking is the University of Chicago. Illinois is a hotbed for business. Home to the CME Group and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, financial and business services are top industries in the Land of Lincoln. Advanced manufacturing (primarily of machinery), education, and agriculture all play significant roles in the Prairie State’s economy. The Magnificent Mile, Starved Rock State Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Dana-Thomas House built by Frank Lloyd Wright are just a few attractions Illinois offers.
How Were the Top Schools in Illinois Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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Concordia University Chicago is a private liberal arts institution based in River Forest, Illinois, with selective admissions. It is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and provides a curriculum focused on Jesus Christ. Popular fields...
This college had provided me with the opportunity to take classes that no matter what the subject I learn a lot. My general courses and my specified classes are all very informational for life itself. The professors know how to relate life to the...
” – Heather from South St Paul, MN
With a campus along the banks of the Mississippi River, Principia College is a 4-year liberal arts institution in southwest Illinois with an emphasis on Christian Science. Principia confers bachelor’s degrees in 28 majors as well as an Individualized...
It is one of the most uplifting campus' I have ever been on, because everyone understands the importance of Christian Science. The small size of the campus means that you get one on one time with all your professors, and they are able to take a...
” – Hannah
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a nationally recognized university in southwest Illinois that helps prepare students for successful careers and lives of purpose. SIUE offers more than 350 areas of study, and 90% of alumni surveyed report...
Classes here at SIUe are challenging. However SIUe is a great place to learn outside of the classroom. Your instructors and professors make it a priority to teach you what you need to know and help get real-life, hands-on experience.
” – Katie from Chicago, IL
Named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor, Roosevelt University is a private institution in Chicago with a dedication to social justice. Roosevelt offers over 70 undergraduate majors and 15 graduate and doctoral programs at...
The students ans staff are great. Everyone is friendly, and willing to help in whatever they can.
” – Nancy from Chicago, IL
Founded in 1869, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is a public flagship university and the oldest university in the SIU system. SIU is home to ten colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees as well as an Honors Program. For...
All of my teachers at SIUC overall have been fantastic. I especially recommend Dr. Hahn for Philosophy 104 and Dr. Martin for Sociology 108. Dr. Hahn is a wonderful teacher and does a good job keeping lectures very interesting. He does not put up...
” – Lauryn from Illinois
Founded in 1866, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is one of the most historically significant accredited independent schools of art and design in the world. SAIC is consistently ranked among the top art and design schools by QS World...
If there is anything I am learning about the art world at SAIC, its everything! Experimenting in different mediums and art types is daily routine. Film, sculpture, plaster, and sound are just a few things that I have dipped my hands into since being...
” – Cassie from Papillion, NE
Governors State University is a public, 4-year institution established south of Chicago in University Park, Illinois. GSU offers programs of study ranging from certificates in Digital Forensics to doctoral degrees in Occupational Therapy. The college...
I enjoy how small the classes are! Being in a class with 25 or less people is better than sitting in a class of 250+. Teachers know your name and really make themselves available to help when you need it. They give you their office hours and their...
” – Briana from Richton Park, IL
Founded in 1867, Chicago State University is a coeducational public institution based in Chicago, Illinois. CSU is a member of both the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Chicago State...
chicago state university is perfect for any minority student who is conscious about fitting in with their peers. the teachers are very proactive and thorough when it comes to assisting a student with a dilemma. chicago state university's councilors...
” – Juan from Chicago, IL
Founded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian institution in Chicago affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church. North Park is home to six colleges and schools as well as a seminary conferring degrees in over 60 undergrad and graduate...
It is very easy to learn everything you need to know at this school. The largest class size is 25 max. Your professors are always available to help you when you need extra help.
” – Shellye from las vegas, NV
The Moody Bible Institute is a school of higher education that was founded in 1886. Moody Bible focuses on Christian education including, but not limited to, biblical studies, divinity, and theology. Moody Bible has various spiritual enrichment...
Moody is renowned for its ability to teach the future generation solid, biblically based teaching and my experience so far has been just that. I came to MBI (the Spokane campus) with quite minimal knowledge of the Bible. In fact, I don't think I've...
” – Ryan from Gilberts, ILOriginally established by Methodist Episcopal Deaconesses, Methodist College is a 4-year nursing and healthcare professional school in Peoria. Methodist offers three bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Health Sciences, and Social Work and each program...
Methodist College of Nursing is a wonderful school! We have great faculty and staff that are always willing to help a student. Methodist is not a very large school most classes have an average of 30 people.
” – Elli from Canton, IL
Columbia College Chicago is a private non-profit college located in the heart of Chicago. The one and only campus has more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from, in addition to programs available entirely online. Every...
I learn from not only my professors but also the fellow students around me. The professors not only work for the school but also have careers in their fields within the city. They all encourage students to seek outside education and experience with...
” – Rey from Nashville, TNSaint Anthony College of Nursing is a private, medical education institution located in Rockford, Illinois. Saint Anthony offers two BSN and RN to BSN undergraduate programs as well as a Master of Science in Nursing, a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and...
National Louis University is based in Chicago, IL, with a satellite location in Tampa, Florida. NLU offers more than 70 majors and programs, tailored to student needs—with day-time, evening, weekend, campus-based, community-based, and online...
I have learned a alot since I have been attending NLU the professors are very nice and eager to help you with any questions you may have. My experience so far has been great the classroom setting is comfortable which helps make learning easier. The...
” – Joyce from Chicago, IL
Lincoln College is a private institution in Illinois, which serves as both a 2-year and 4-year establishment. Lincoln has two separate campuses, both of which maintain their own catalog of academic programs from approximately 20 fields of study...
Students will learn a lot here because there are smaller classes and teachers can help students one on one during or after class. Also there are many tutors in the library that can be signed up for.
” – Jasmine from Romeoville, IL
Northeastern Illinois University is a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution located in Chicago, Illinois. NEIU offers a Tuition Guarantee Program for all students up to six years. The school has three unique campus locations in the Chicago...
Northeastern has a very comfortable environment. Teachers that you don't even have will ask you about your day and classes, they'll even offer any help that you would need. As well with the students, everyone is very talkative and welcoming.
” – Migdalia from Chicago, ILThe Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a medical and health science training institution in northwest Illinois. Trinity offers bachelor’s degree programs in Nursing and Health Sciences as well as two associate degrees in Radiography and...
The American Academy of Art is a small, private, 4-year institution established in Chicago, Illinois. The Academy offers nine bachelor’s degree programs: Illustration and Digital Illustration, Life Drawing, Oil or Watercolor Painting, Graphic Design...
From its downtown Chicago location, East-West University is a 4-year institution in the heart of the midwest’s largest city featuring courses in seven academic departments as well as a liberal arts program conferring associate degrees. The university...
East-West University is a college where you can get all that you need. Although it's a small place, you see different races and cultures in one place. It's packed with majors that are on the market and thriving.
” – Shirley from Chicago, ILLocated adjacent to the Illinois Institute of Technology campus on Chicago’s south side, the VanderCook College of Music is the only music teacher training institution in the United States. VanderCook’s educational curriculum culminates in a Bachelor...
VanderCook College of Music is a great learning environment. The students and faculty become more of a family, and they will be there to help you with anything whether it's related to school or not. VanderCook provides its students with a unique...
” – Michelle from Romeoville, IL