These are the best colleges in IL, new report says. See which schools came out on top

Illinois public universities saw a slight undergraduate enrollment increase in fall 2023, reversing a trend of decline. But which Illinois colleges are ranked the highest for academics and other factors?

The 2025 Best Colleges in Illinois ranking from Niche compares top-performing higher education institutions in the state on metrics that include academics, diversity and more. This ranking includes public and private four-year colleges and universities.

Niche creates ratings on colleges based on reviews and data. Sources include the Office of Post-Secondary Education from the U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard data, the Niche college student survey and more.

The ranking uses the following methodology:

• Academics grade : Based on acceptance rate, quality of professors and surveys from students and alumni (40% of overall grade)

• Value grade: Based on data such as average loan amount, alumni earnings and surveys (27.5%)

• Professors grade : Based on the number of awards won by faculty, student-faculty ratio and surveys (7.5%)

• The campus grade is based on the quality of campus food and housing and surveys (5%)

• Niche’s diversity grade takes into consideration “ethnic composition” of the student body, proportion of international students and out-of-state students and surveys (5%)

• Student life grade : Based on data on safety, diversity, athletics and surveys on student life (5%)

• Student surveys about overall experience (5%)

• Local area grade : Based on median rent, local crime rates, access to amenities and surveys (2.5%)

• The safety grade is based on the campus crime rate, local crime rate and surveys (2.5%)

Here’s how the top 10 best colleges and universities in Illinois compare, according to Niche:

1. Northwestern University

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ diversity, A athletics, A value, A- campus (information about grades for more categories is available online.)

Northwestern has an enrollment of 8,794 undergraduate students, according to Niche, and the school’s acceptance rate is 7%. Some of Northwestern’s most popular majors include economics, psychology, digital communication and media/multimedia, and the graduation rate is 97%.

Northwestern landed in 11th place in Niche’s 2025 Best Colleges in America ranking.

2. University of Chicago

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ diversity, C+ athletics, A- value, A- campus

The University of Chicago has more than 7,000 students and focuses on small, discussion-based classes. Its acceptance rate is just 5%, and research is one of the university’s focal points.

The University of Chicago made several other Niche rankings as well, including second for Best Colleges for Public Policy, fifth for Best Colleges for Economics in America and sixth for Colleges with the Best Academics in America.

3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ diversity, A athletics, A value, A- campus

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is home to more than 37,000 undergraduate students and has a 45% acceptance rate, according to Niche.

Other Niche accolades UIUC has received include third place for Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America, sixth for Best Greek Life Colleges in America and seventh for Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America.

4. University of Illinois Chicago

Grades: A overall, A- academics, A diversity, B+ athletics, A value, C+ campus

University of Illinois Chicago has more than 30,000 students, and the institution now offers free tuition and fees to certain qualifying students with a household income of $75,000 or less.

UIC also ranked in 30th for Niche’s Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America, 34th for Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America and 36th for Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in America.

5. Illinois Wesleyan University

Grades: A- overall, A- academics, A- diversity, B+ athletics, A- value, C campus

Illinois Wesleyan University has more than 1,500 students as of fall 2023, and the institution prides itself on high employment rates for alumni.

IWU also ranked 23rd in Niche’s Best Colleges with No Application Fee in America, 41st in Best Small Colleges in America and 63rd for Best Colleges for Sports Management in America.

6. Wheaton College

Grades: A- overall, A- academics, A- diversity, B- athletics, B value, A- campus

Wheaton College has more than 2,000 students and reports 91% of its undergraduates receive scholarships and grants.

Wheaton was named the seventh best Christian college in the U.S. by Niche and also landed in 23rd for Best College Dorms in America and 37th for Best Colleges with No Application Fee in America.

7. DePaul University

Grades: B+ overall, B+ academics, A diversity, A athletics, B value, B+ campus

DePaul University is described as “above average” by Niche and has more than 12,000 undergraduate students, with an acceptance rate of 70%.

It was ranked 17th in Niche’s Best Catholic Colleges in America, 22nd in Best College Locations in America and 32nd for Best Colleges for Film and Photography in America.

8. Lake Forest College

Grades: B+ overall, B+ academics, A- diversity, B- athletics, B value, B campus

Lake Forest College has more than 1,700 full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students, as of fall 2023. The college has a 60% acceptance rate, according to Niche.

The institution was ranked 48th in Niche’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America, 55th for Best Colleges with No Application in America and 73rd for Best Small Colleges in America.

9. Loyola University Chicago

Grades: B+ overall, A- academics, A diversity, A- athletics, B- value, B+ campus

Loyola University Chicago had 16,899 students enrolled in 2022, according to the institution’s website, and Niche reports its acceptance rate is 79%.

Loyola was ranked 18th in Niche’s Best Catholic Colleges in America, 56th in Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in America and 56th for Best Colleges with No Application in America.

10. Eastern Illinois University

Grades: B+ overall, B academics, A- diversity, B+ athletics, B+ value, B+ campus

Eastern Illinois University has an enrollment of 8,857, according to its website, and Niche reports the university’s acceptance rate is 68%.

EIU was ranked 64th in Niche’s Best Colleges with No Application in America, 81st in Best Colleges for Sports Management in America and 83rd for Best Colleges for Education in America.

How did southern Illinois universities perform?

Southern Illinois University Carbondale was ranked 13th in Niche’s Best Colleges in Illinois. SIUC received a B+ overall grade, B for academics, A- for diversity, B+ for athletics, B for value and B for campus.

Meanwhile, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was named the 18th best college in Illinois by Niche, with a B+ overall grade, B for academics, A- for diversity, A- for athletics, B+ for value and A- for campus.

Do you have a question about education in Illinois for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.