What are the Best Colleges in Illinois?
Welcome to the Land of Lincoln. Honest Abe, who lived here when he was elected president, isn't the only former Commander-in-Chief with connections to the state: Barack Obama lived here, as did Ronald Reagan and Ulysses S. Grant.
And the name "Illinois" even comes from the Algonquin for "tribe of superior men." Coincidence? Well, come check out the variety of colleges in the state, and you can decide. Because right now, Illinois is educating thousands of superior men and women in its small liberal arts schools, religiously-affiliated colleges, and large research universities.
What kind of College in Illinois should you attend?
It shouldn't be any wonder why Illinois has emerged as a leader in higher education. The state is considered to be a microcosm of the whole United States, with everything from rural countryside, to small towns and cities, to the metropolis of Chicago, nestled up against Lake Michigan, a lake big enough to make you think it's an ocean.So if you're looking for something particular in your college search, you're likely to find it in Illinois.
That's especially true if you are considering going to school in Chicago. The Windy City boasts iconic sports teams, world-class museums, landmark buildings, a dizzying diversity of cultures and people, and even two separate zoos. Perhaps this will begin to help you understand why Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest in the world. Or, if you have your eye on a college in Illinois, but you're from out of state, consider one of the Top Online Schools in Illinois.
Featured Undergraduate Programs
How much money can you make with a degree from a College in Illinois?
As a state, residents of Illinois make higher salaries than the U.S. average. Part of that is due to to the thriving metropolis of Chicago. But another factor is Illinois' commitment to higher education. In the end, education is what pays the big bucks! Let the statistics prove the point.
According to Payscale.com, Illinois residents who have their Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees earn on average between $58k and $66k per year. Folks who have gone on to earn a Master of Science degree jump to an average annual salary of $73k.
What can you do with a degree from a College in Illinois?
Close your eyes. Imagine your dream job. Guess what? There's a degree for that at a college in Illinois. Truly, your options are endless. Are you hoping to become a lawyer? An anesthesiologist? A special education teacher? You'll find some of the top programs in the country in Illinois.
If you're still on the fence about what kind of degree to pursue, perhaps consider a more strategic path. Over at Zippia.com, they've narrowed in on the top 10 fastest growing professions in Illinois. Maybe the time is right for you to jump in on one of these careers. Here's a quick look:
Web Developer
Home Health Aide
Occupational Therapist
Nurse Practitioner
What are the Best Colleges in Illinois?
If you're thinking about coming here for college, or if you're native to the state and you want to stay, how are you supposed to decide which school to go to? Well, we've put together a ranking of the best colleges and universities in the state, a ranking based on both academic quality (acceptance rates, endowment size, and other statistics) as well as on return on investment (how much you'll end up paying for college versus what you can expect to earn once you've graduated). That way, you can choose based on what interests you, as well as what you'll be able to afford.
With that, we present the Best Colleges in Illinois!Rankings
See our rankings methodology page.
