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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Originally founded as a business training academy, Northwestern College is a for-profit college in the Chicagoland area with a focus on preparing students for careers. NC confers bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Health Information...
Black Hawk College is a public, 2-year institution established in Moline and Galva, Illinois. BHC offers a number of transfer programs and degree programs, with focuses ranging from Agribusiness to Music Industry. The campus features a wide variety...
Too many people feel that a community college will offer a sub par education compared to a four year university. The teaching staff here is excellent and I know that I am getting the same education as my friends at large universities. If anything...
” – A Student from ILCarl Sandburg College is a 2-year community college in western Illinois with two campuses and an extension site that hosts the school’s dental program. Carl Sandburg offers degrees and certificates in over 50 academic programs and an honors program...
-my school has the best teachers.
-all staff members (including non-teachers) are truly dedicated to education, and the students.
-one of the top community colleges for digital technology
” – CSC Student, IL
Harold Washington College is a public, 2-year institution that is part of the City Colleges of Chicago system. HWC is home to a substantial catalog of associate and certificate programs, with its primary academic focus being business and applied...
Harold maybe a city college but the professors are passionate about their teaching and interaction with thier students.
” – Paulina from Chicago, ILHarry S. Truman College is a 2-year community college and one of the largest schools in the City Colleges of Chicago system. Truman is home to 12 academic departments and is the City Colleges hub for Education and Human & Natural Sciences...
Very good school to pick up extra credits or work towards getting an AA degree from. Teachers are very well trained and helpful. They are there to help you succeed.
” – Devendra from Chicago, ILAs part of the City Colleges of Chicago, Kennedy-King College is a 2-year public community college on the city’s south side. The college confers certificate and associate degrees in preparation for students to transfer to 4-year universities or enter...
Love this school!
” – LaTara from Chicago, ILMalcolm X College is a public, 2-year institution established in Chicago, Illinois. Academics at MXC are primarily focused on Health Sciences, with a wide variety of other subjects available as well. The campus features a newly-built, state-of-the...
Malcolm X College is a school that is zealous towards the attendants academic success. The Professors are enthusiastic and keen as well as the advisors. Malcolm X College has beyond any doubt set the pace for my college education.
” – Latina from Riverside, ILOlive Harvey College is a 2-year community college on Chicago’s south side and the largest campus in the City Colleges of Chicago system. Olive Harvey is a center for City Colleges’ programs in transportation, distribution, and logistics, and offers...
olive-harvey has challenged me to be a critical thinker. i have learned a vast of information in my first semester there. i'm looking towards a brighter future with my studies i've learned.
” – Michaiah from Chicago, ILNamed for one of Chicago’s longest tenured mayors, Richard J. Daley College is a 2-year community college and part of the City Colleges of Chicago system. Daley is home to ten academic focus areas and the City Colleges hub for Advanced Manufacturing...
Know what your intentions are for attending Daley. Its also a great idea to know what program you are enrolling in. After you've figured that out, make sure you and your advisor come up with an education plan.
” – Ciara from Chicago, ILDanville Area Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Illinois. DACC offers more than 100 career and transfer programs, with a variety of courses available to complete online. Students also have the opportunity to earn bachelor’s...
DACC is very affordable. They have great instructor to student ratio and has a great tutoring center.
” – Branden from Danville, ILFrontier Community College is a 2-year institution and one of four Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. FCC confers degrees and certificates in 13 programs of study including Phlebotomy and Sport Management. FCC’s Automotive Technology program...
From its humble beginnings in a shopping mall, Heartland Community College has grown into a 2-year community college with three permanent central Illinois campuses offering degrees and certificates in 70 subjects. HCC also provides a chance for...
Heartland helped me figure out what I wanted to major in. Some of the teachers are also employed at ISU so you know they are knowledgeable. Even the ones that aren't are really, really good at what they do. Each class I had turned out to be fun and a...
” – Justin from Bloomington, ILNamed after a Civil War general and congressman, John A. Logan College is a 2-year community college in southwest Illinois. John A. Logan offers associate degrees in over 40 academic programs including Social Work and Pre-Veterinary Studies. The...
The instructors are really knowledgeable about the subjects they teach. They are adept at conveying the information in a way which makes the lesson fascinating, and are fair towards the students.
” – Joshua from Murphysboro, ILJohn Wood Community College is a 2-year college with a main campus and three satellite locations in western Illinois. JWCC offers degrees in 43 fields of study and 28 certificate-granting programs. As a rural institution, JWCC’s programs in...
You learn quite a bit. The professors are super nice and willing to help you no matter what. The professors really know what they are teaching and are passionate about their subjects. This really helps when they are helping you and teaching since...
” – Dakota from Quincy, IL
Lake Land College is a 2-year community college in eastern Illinois offering associate degrees in over 40 areas of study and numerous certificates in subjects such as John Deere Tech and Renewable Energy. In addition, Lake Land designates over 15...
Lewis & Clark Community College is a 2-year institution serving seven counties in the St. Louis metro area. Lewis & Clark grants degrees and certificates in over 40 academic programs and is home to an Honors College. The college offers numerous...
I learned alot here and would recommend it to anyone.
” – Lillian from Odessa, MOLincoln Land Community College is a 2-year institution in Springfield, Illinois, serving a 15-county area that is the largest community college district in the state. LLCC features eight academic departments conferring degrees and certificates and...
Lincoln Land is a diverse school with a lot of friendly people. All of the instructors really care about you, and want you to succeed. Lincoln Land is a great start to any college career.
” – StudentLincoln Trail College is a public, 2-year institution established in Robinson, Illinois, and a member of the Illinois Eastern Community College District. LTC offers nearly 40 degree and certificate programs designed for career-placement and college...
LTC has great class size. The professors are all very helpful and ready to make sure you succeed. A community college at an affordable price.
” – Lori from Robinson, ILPrairie State College is a 2-year community college serving Chicago’s south suburbs by offering programs in five academic departments as well as an honors program. Students in Prairie State’s Dental Hygiene program assist in operating a clinic on...
Good place to start out of get some extra credit for other programs.
” – Bettenia from Homewood, ILRend Lake College is a 2-year community college serving graduates from 13 area high schools in southern Illinois. RLC offers degrees and certificates in over 45 academic programs including Truck Driver Training, Heavy Equipment Technology, and...
I will be able to complete my Associate's as a Vaterinary Technician, and be certified in two years.
” – Adrea from Mulkeytown, IL