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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | Elmhurst, IL | $61,462 Median Earnings (10yr) | $14,641 | 75.7% | 65.2% |
| #22 | Illinois Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Bloomington, IL | $70,871 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,011 | 45.2% | 82.5% |
| #23 | Chicago, IL | $56,899 Median Earnings (10yr) | — | 33.3% | — | |
| #24 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | Romeoville, IL | $66,099 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,995 | 72.7% | 62.6% |
| #25 | North Park UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $59,572 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,309 | 72.8% | 56.0% |
| #26 | Lake Forest CollegePrivate | Lake Forest, IL | $61,825 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,067 | 59.4% | 70.4% |
| #27 | Benedictine UniversityPrivate | Lisle, IL | $63,446 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,282 | 77.2% | 50.9% |
| #28 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $71,530 Median Earnings (10yr) | $28,666 | 81.4% | 76.9% |
| #29 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | Peoria, IL | $66,852 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,762 | 76.7% | 72.1% |
| #30 | Chicago State UniversityPublic | Chicago, IL | $42,778 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,025 | 40.5% | 17.0% |
| #31 | Rockford UniversityPrivate | Rockford, IL | $54,794 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,950 | 57.2% | 38.3% |
| #32 | Augustana CollegePrivate | Rock Island, IL | $62,971 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,549 | 67.7% | 79.2% |
| #33 | Concordia University-ChicagoPrivate | River Forest, IL | $54,089 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,573 | 93.4% | 47.4% |
| #34 | Millikin UniversityPrivate | Decatur, IL | $51,262 Median Earnings (10yr) | $2,842 | 54.0% | 59.1% |
| #35 | North Central CollegePrivate | Naperville, IL | $60,123 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,752 | 58.3% | 71.1% |
| #36 | Judson UniversityPrivate | Elgin, IL | $56,313 Median Earnings (10yr) | $24,510 | 63.1% | 53.3% |
| #37 | Mckendree UniversityPrivate | Lebanon, IL | $58,572 Median Earnings (10yr) | $23,363 | 63.9% | 59.5% |
| #38 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $48,712 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,863 | 94.3% | 41.0% |
| #39 | Wheaton CollegePrivate | Wheaton, IL | $63,756 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,966 | 90.0% | 86.6% |
| #40 | Olivet Nazarene UniversityPrivate | Bourbonnais, IL | $53,213 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,617 | 66.9% | 60.3% |
