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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | East-West UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $29,963 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,975 | — | 22.9% |
| #42 | Illinois CollegePrivate | Jacksonville, IL | $52,575 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,197 | 74.7% | 61.1% |
| #43 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $42,195 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,821 | 91.2% | 48.5% |
| #44 | Trinity Christian CollegePrivate | Palos Heights, IL | $55,700 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,034 | 88.6% | 63.9% |
| #45 | Moody Bible InstitutePrivate | Chicago, IL | $45,399 Median Earnings (10yr) | $26,309 | 97.5% | 62.0% |
| #46 | Quincy UniversityPrivate | Quincy, IL | $50,369 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,549 | 49.9% | 42.7% |
| #47 | Knox CollegePrivate | Galesburg, IL | $54,820 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,705 | 71.1% | 67.5% |
| #48 | Blackburn CollegePrivate | Carlinville, IL | $46,802 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,146 | 80.1% | 52.4% |
| #49 | Monmouth CollegePrivate | Monmouth, IL | $51,110 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,780 | 86.6% | 60.1% |
| #50 | Greenville UniversityPrivate | Greenville, IL | $46,827 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,493 | 95.4% | 51.4% |
| #51 | Vandercook College Of MusicPrivate | Chicago, IL | $47,863 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,642 | 97.3% | 46.7% |
| #52 | Eureka CollegePrivate | Eureka, IL | $51,641 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,076 | 88.5% | 40.6% |
| #53 | Hebrew Theological CollegePrivate | Skokie, IL | $33,291 Median Earnings (10yr) | — | 92.0% | 73.1% |
| #54 | Deerfield, IL | $46,989 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,250 | 93.2% | 45.6% | |
| #55 | Lincoln Christian UniversityPrivate | Lincoln, IL | $43,038 Median Earnings (10yr) | — | — | 58.2% |
| #56 | Chicago, IL | $40,151 Median Earnings (10yr) | $43,080 | 76.4% | 64.0% |
