Best Colleges in Illinois – 2024

Academic Highlights: A 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio means that classrooms remain very intimate, and face time with the renowned faculty is a reality. More than three-quarters of UChicago undergraduate sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students. Undergraduate research opportunities are ubiquitous as 80% of students end up working in a research capacity alongside a faculty member. A solid 60% of undergrads study abroad at one of the 77 programs offered in 31 cities around the world.

Professional Outcomes: On commencement day, 99% of the Class of 2023 were employed or continuing their education. The most popular employers for UChicago grads include Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Meta, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, and Microsoft. University of Chicago grads are highly sought after by elite graduate universities. The top destinations for recent graduates are Yale, Columbia, MIT, Stanford, and Harvard A fairly substantial 50% of graduates remain in the Midwest after finishing their degrees, 29% migrate to the Northeast, and 10% make the journey west.

.

Academic Highlights: The quarter system allows students to take four courses at a time rather than the typical five. Even so, the academic demands are intense, and Northwestern students work hard for their grades. The university has a phenomenal 6:1 student-faculty ratio, and a spectacular 39% of class sections have nine or fewer students enrolled; 76% have fewer than twenty enrollees. Faculty receive generally favorable reviews from undergraduate students and are rated as being highly accessible outside of the classroom. Fifty-eight percent of recent grads had the chance to conduct research with a faculty member at some point during their undergraduate years.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 70% of the Class of 2023 had found employment and 25% were in graduate school. Employers include Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Deloitte, McKinsey & Co., and Salesforce. Across all majors, the average starting salary was $77k. The vast majority of Northwestern graduates can be found in Illinois, with the next largest concentration of alums living in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.

Academic Highlights: Eight of UIUC’s fifteen schools cater to undergraduate students. Illinois’ student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 is high even for a public institution, but the school still manages to keep 39% of sections capped at 19 students. Further, 40% of undergraduates participate in research; over 800 students each year present at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Unique opportunities for experiential learning abound at Research Park, an on-campus technology hub and business incubator that hosts more than 120 major corporations and 800 student interns.

Professional Outcomes: 91% of recent UIUC grads landed at their next destination within six months of graduation, with 35% matriculating directly into an advanced degree program. 56% were employed full-time. Corporations landing the most recent Illinois grads were Amazon, Deloitte, Epic, KPMG, and PwC. The average salary across all majors was an extremely solid $76,000. Two-thirds of graduates remained in the Land of Lincoln; California and New York commandeer the next greatest percentages of migrating alumni.

Academic Highlights: Illinois Wesleyan delivers an exceptional liberal arts education through its distinctive curriculum and undergraduate-focused environment. With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an intimate average class size of 17, students benefit from close mentorship across 47 majors. The university emphasizes global engagement (offering 700+ study abroad programs) and hands-on learning—31% of undergraduates conduct research, taking full advantage of the school’s dedicated undergraduate research culture.

Professional Outcomes: IWU graduates achieve remarkable success, with 99% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation (82% employed, 17% continuing education). Alumni earn strong starting salaries ($57,162 average) and frequently pursue advanced degrees at prestigious institutions like Georgetown, Tulane, and the University of Michigan. While many build careers in the Greater Chicago area, the university’s emphasis on internships (72% participation) ensures graduates are prepared to excel wherever their ambitions take them.

Academic Highlights: Loyola University Chicago offers students a comprehensive liberal arts foundation through 80+ majors and minors across 13 distinguished schools and colleges. With 42% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students, Loyola ensures personalized mentorship within its rigorous Core Curriculum while providing global learning opportunities through 50+ study abroad programs—including its historic John Felice Rome Center, the oldest continuously operated American university program in Italy. The university’s commitment to discovery is further demonstrated through 45 specialized research institutes that engage undergraduates in meaningful scholarship.

Professional Outcomes: Loyola graduates achieve exceptional career success, with 96% securing positive outcomes, 82% employed at industry leaders like Apple, NBCUniversal, and PwC, with median salaries of $53,284, while 14% pursue advanced degrees at prestigious institutions including Northwestern and Marquette. These outcomes reflect Loyola’s powerful integration of liberal arts critical thinking with professional preparation, preparing graduates to excel in Chicago’s dynamic economy and beyond while maintaining the university’s strong tradition of educating leaders.

Academic Highlights: Undergrads pursue one of 94 bachelor’s programs offered through the 11 (of 16) colleges that grant undergraduate degrees. While 19% of classes at UIC do, indeed, enroll more than 50 students, two-thirds enroll fewer than 29. Ten percent of courses are taught by teaching assistants, but 90% of full-time faculty here have a PhD. Opportunities to engage in undergraduate research will not be handed to you, as at some liberal arts colleges, but the Undergraduate Research Experience, a university-wide program, does connect motivated students with 400+ faculty researchers in dozens of departments. Those interested in studying abroad have access to 175+ programs in 48 countries.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2023 had a 98% success rate six months after graduation, with 20% enrolling directly in graduate school. By volume, the largest employer of UIC grads is Chicago Public Schools. More than 100 alumni can also be found employed by Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Google, Discover, Apple, and McDonald’s. The average salary for a 2023 grad was a solid $69k. Over 90% of recent grads began their careers within the state of Illinois; locations in California, Wisconsin, and Texas were next on the list.

Academic Highlights: There are more than 130 undergraduate majors at the nation’s largest Catholic research university. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1 and 38% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students. Special study abroad initiatives like FY@broad cater to first-year students, while Identities Abroad programs focus on diversity and inclusion, providing scholarships to support underrepresented students. The university rates well in the areas of overall value and facilitating social mobility.

Professional Outcomes: 90% of recent graduates found their next positive step in life within six months of being awarded their diploma. 78% were employed earning a modest median salary of $45,000. Sample employers included JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Discover, AbbVie, Amazon, and United Airways, as well as a number of nonprofit entities. Less than 10% of DePaul graduates directly enter graduate or professional school right after completing their undergraduate education.

Academic Highlights: Illinois Tech has 50+ undergraduate majors. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1, but with so many graduate students to serve, undergraduate course sections are not small across the board; rather, they vary from single-digit enrollment in 22% of sections to 40+ students in 16% of courses. An Illinois Tech education provides many opportunities for students to have close contact with faculty. For example, the Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program features “teams of students from a variety of majors that develop solutions to real-world problems using design-centered methodology and innovative thinking.” Completing two IPROs is a graduation requirement. The Elevate program connects students with undergraduate research and other experiential learning opportunities as early as freshman year.

Professional Outcomes: Eighty-seven percent of Illinois Tech grads in 2023 enjoyed a positive career/grad school outcome within six months of earning their degree. Major corporations that hired recent graduates include Northrup Grumman Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Navistar, Amazon, Accenture, and JP Morgan Chase. The median starting salary is $75,921. Class of 2023 grads pursued further education at institutions such as Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, UI Chicago, and NYU.

Academic Highlights: Bradley University provides an exceptionally personalized education with an average class size of just 17 students and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Offering more than 100 undergraduate programs across five colleges, Bradley combines comprehensive academic options with intimate learning experiences. The university’s global perspective is enhanced by study abroad opportunities in countries like Australia, England, and Spain, while its diverse student body, representing 36 states and 55 countries, creates a vibrant campus community that prepares graduates for success in an interconnected world.

Professional Outcomes: Bradley graduates achieve outstanding results, with a 93% success rate (73% employed, 20% continuing education). The Class of 2024 secured positions with 414 distinct employers, including major organizations like Caterpillar, Deloitte, and OSF HealthCare System. Those pursuing advanced degrees attend prestigious institutions such as DePaul, Loyola University Chicago, and Wake Forest. These impressive outcomes demonstrate Bradley’s ability to prepare students for both immediate career success and competitive graduate programs through its hands-on, personalized approach to education.

Academic Highlights: Illinois State University combines the resources of a comprehensive public university with the personalized attention of a smaller college, offering students 160+ degree programs across seven colleges. With a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 85% of classes taught by professors (97%  of whom hold terminal degrees), ISU delivers quality instruction in an engaging environment. The university emphasizes hands-on learning, with 26% of seniors conducting faculty-mentored research, blending large-university opportunities with close academic mentorship to create exceptional value.

Professional Outcomes: ISU graduates achieve outstanding career success, earning $15,000 more than the national average early in their careers. Alumni excel at top employers, including State Farm, Caterpillar, and OSF HealthCare, with most building their lives in Illinois communities like Greater Chicago, Bloomington-Normal, and throughout Central Illinois. These strong outcomes demonstrate how ISU’s unique balance of academic rigor, faculty engagement, and professional preparation creates graduates who immediately contribute to and elevate Illinois’ workforce.