Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

14 Best Universities in Illinois

Our data-driven ranking evaluates 14 elite institutions across Illinois to determine true academic prominence. We analyzed 80.4K scientific publications and 1.98M citations to accurately measure the research output of these institutions. The ranking also highlights the real-world influence of these universities, represented by 70.8K notable alumni globally.

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1

Chicago

Loyola University Chicago

#137 in United States #158 in North America

82% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1870 Founded

2

Carbondale

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

#190 in United States #215 in North America

87% Acceptance

2,708 Enrollment

1030 Avg SAT

1869 Founded

3

Chicago

National Louis University

#788 in United States #856 in North America

95% Acceptance

14,263 Enrollment

1085 Avg SAT

1886 Founded

4

Chicago

DeVry University – Illinois

#817 in United States #885 in North America

98% Acceptance

6,045 Enrollment

865 Avg SAT

1931 Founded

5

Romeoville

Lewis University

#826 in United States #894 in North America

71% Acceptance

16,744 Enrollment

1085 Avg SAT

1932 Founded

6

Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

#1139 in United States #1214 in North America

72% Acceptance

5,734 Enrollment

1150 Avg SAT

1828 Founded

7

Chicago

Saint Augustine College

#1246 in United States #1324 in North America

100% Acceptance

810 Enrollment

995 Avg SAT

1980 Founded

8

Chicago

Moody Bible Institute

#1329 in United States #1407 in North America

83% Acceptance

367 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1886 Founded

9

Schaumburg

American InterContinental University

#1387 in United States #1469 in North America

100% Acceptance

63,012 Enrollment

865 Avg SAT

$14,726 Net Price

10

Elgin

Judson University

#1497 in United States #1583 in North America

48% Acceptance

7,895 Enrollment

967 Avg SAT

1963 Founded

11

Chicago

East-West University

#2112 in United States #2209 in North America

100% Acceptance

468 Enrollment

1980 Founded

$21,872 Net Price

12

Quincy, IL

Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

#2295 in United States #2396 in North America

100% Acceptance

179 Enrollment

1985 Founded

13

Rock Island

Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences

#2318 in United States #2419 in North America

88% Acceptance

56 Enrollment

1898 Founded

14

Hoffman Estates

Ambria College of Nursing

#2355 in United States #2456 in North America

100% Acceptance

123 Enrollment

$15,221 Net Price