Home to 56 ranked institutions, Illinois offers a diverse higher education landscape dominated by public universities and private colleges. Graduates from Illinois institutions earn a median of $57,089 ten years after enrollment—$1,272 higher than the national average, demonstrating the state's commitment to strong career outcomes across its educational ecosystem.
Illinois graduates see median earnings ranging from $29,963 to $91,885 ten years after enrollment, with University Of Chicago leading at the top end and University Of Illinois Chicago achieving the highest Azimuth Score of 2.4. This $61,922 earnings spread illustrates how program selection and institutional quality directly impact long-term career trajectories, with the state's mix of public universities and private colleges offering pathways across the income spectrum.
While University Of Illinois Chicago dominates the overall rankings with its exceptional composite score, prospective students benefit from its accessible 78% acceptance rate. This combination of strong graduate outcomes with reasonable admission standards makes it an ideal choice for students seeking quality education without the ultra-competitive admissions processes typical of top-tier institutions.
Compare net price, debt, and earnings scenarios
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chicago, IL | $68,740 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,257 | 78.5% | 60.3% | |
| #2 | Champaign, IL | $81,054 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,883 | 43.7% | 84.9% | |
| #3 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $91,885 Median Earnings (10yr) | -$1,428 | 4.8% | 94.9% |
| #4 | Dekalb, IL | $57,808 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,047 | 70.5% | 49.6% | |
| #5 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | Evanston, IL | $89,363 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,243 | 7.1% | 95.9% |
| #6 | University Park, IL | $58,169 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,982 | — | 19.6% | |
| #7 | Normal, IL | $62,117 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,075 | 89.0% | 66.3% | |
| #8 | Chicago, IL | $52,234 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,691 | 70.4% | 16.8% | |
| #9 | Saint Xavier UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $58,656 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,181 | 85.8% | 59.0% |
| #10 | Chicago, IL | $82,592 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,222 | 55.4% | 72.4% | |
| #11 | Edwardsville, IL | $56,346 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,459 | 97.2% | 55.0% | |
| #12 | Dominican UniversityPrivate | River Forest, IL | $60,327 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,934 | 79.8% | 62.4% |
| #13 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $68,751 Median Earnings (10yr) | $23,758 | 73.5% | 70.0% |
| #14 | Carbondale, IL | $53,390 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,928 | 90.4% | 56.3% | |
| #15 | Aurora UniversityPrivate | Aurora, IL | $58,709 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,980 | 85.1% | 58.3% |
| #16 | Springfield, IL | $57,103 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,473 | 84.4% | 61.4% | |
| #17 | Macomb, IL | $54,163 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,968 | 75.0% | 44.8% | |
| #18 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | Joliet, IL | $63,926 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,707 | 63.9% | 64.6% |
| #19 | National Louis UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $45,799 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,357 | 93.1% | 36.9% |
| #20 | Charleston, IL | $51,989 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,412 | 67.8% | 45.2% |
