Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

19 Best Universities in Illinois for Data Science

Focusing specifically on Data Science, our data science engine identified the 19 most influential universities in Illinois. Our methodology evaluated 1.29M subject-specific papers and 51.39M citations to find the strongest faculties. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Data Science Illinois Clear All

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1

Champaign

University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign

For Data Science

#3 in United States #3 in North America

42% Acceptance

37,140 Enrollment

1415 Avg SAT

1867 Founded

2

Evanston

Northwestern University

For Data Science

#24 in United States #27 in North America

8% Acceptance

9,399 Enrollment

1540 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

3

Chicago

University of Chicago

For Data Science

#27 in United States #30 in North America

4% Acceptance

7,598 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

4

Chicago

University of Illinois at Chicago

For Data Science

#41 in United States #48 in North America

77% Acceptance

22,495 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1858 Founded

5

Chicago

Illinois Institute of Technology

For Data Science

#155 in United States #180 in North America

55% Acceptance

3,135 Enrollment

1310 Avg SAT

1890 Founded

6

Chicago

DePaul University

For Data Science

#175 in United States #202 in North America

76% Acceptance

5,734 Enrollment

1235 Avg SAT

1898 Founded

7

DeKalb

Northern Illinois University

For Data Science

#176 in United States #203 in North America

70% Acceptance

16,744 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1895 Founded

8

Chicago

Loyola University Chicago

For Data Science

#177 in United States #204 in North America

82% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1870 Founded

9

Evanston

NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia

For Data Science

#445 in United States #498 in North America

73% Acceptance

1,677 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

10

Springfield, IL

University of Illinois at Springfield

For Data Science

#430 in United States #483 in North America

86% Acceptance

6,332 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

11

Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College

For Data Science

#301 in United States #336 in North America

78% Acceptance

2,256 Enrollment

1032 Avg SAT

1829 Founded

12

Macomb

Western Illinois University

For Data Science

#353 in United States #392 in North America

71% Acceptance

7,895 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

13

Peoria, IL

Bradley University

For Data Science

#338 in United States #376 in North America

77% Acceptance

15,414 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University

For Data Science

#484 in United States #539 in North America

65% Acceptance

3,231 Enrollment

985 Avg SAT

1895 Founded

15

Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville

For Data Science

#400 in United States #446 in North America

97% Acceptance

16,744 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

16

Wheaton

Wheaton College – Illinois

For Data Science

#416 in United States #465 in North America

87% Acceptance

2,150 Enrollment

1365 Avg SAT

1860 Founded

17

Normal, IL

Illinois State University

For Data Science

#228 in United States #261 in North America

88% Acceptance

6,332 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

18

Carbondale

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

For Data Science

#212 in United States #242 in North America

87% Acceptance

2,708 Enrollment

1030 Avg SAT

1869 Founded

19

Chicago

Rush University

For Data Science

#473 in United States #528 in North America

33% Acceptance

2,109 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1972 Founded