Best Colleges in Illinois 2024

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Here are the best colleges and universities in Illinois. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

10 Best Colleges in Illinois

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  1. University of Chicago
  2. Northwestern University
  3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  4. University of Illinois Chicago
  5. Illinois Institute of Technology
  6. Loyola University Chicago
  7. DePaul University
  8. Northern Illinois University
  9. Wheaton College
  10. Bradley University
  1. University of Chicago
  2. Northwestern University
  3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  4. Illinois Institute of Technology
  5. University of Illinois Chicago
  6. Loyola University Chicago
  7. DePaul University
  8. Wheaton College
  9. Northern Illinois University
  10. Illinois State University
  1. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 98%
  2. Columbia College Chicago 95%
  3. Benedictine University 93%
  4. Southern Illinois University Carbondale 91%
  5. Roosevelt University 88%
  6. Wheaton College 88%
  7. Illinois State University 86%
  8. Aurora University 82%
  9. University of Illinois Springfield 82%
  10. Loyola University Chicago 79%
  1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 21 to 1
  2. Illinois State University 19 to 1
  3. University of Illinois Chicago 18 to 1
  4. Aurora University 18 to 1
  5. DePaul University 17 to 1
  6. McKendree University 17 to 1
  7. Eastern Illinois University 15 to 1
  8. Columbia College Chicago 15 to 1
  9. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15 to 1
  10. Northern Illinois University 14 to 1
  1. University of Chicago $64,260
  2. Northwestern University $63,468
  3. Knox College $53,259
  4. Lake Forest College $52,902
  5. Illinois Institute of Technology $50,640
  6. Loyola University Chicago $49,498
  7. North Central College $43,046
  8. DePaul University $42,840
  9. Wheaton College $42,240
  10. Bradley University $37,800
  1. University of Chicago $65,145
  2. Northwestern University $51,869
  3. Illinois Institute of Technology $34,101
  4. Roosevelt University $22,764
  5. DePaul University $21,719
  6. Loyola University Chicago $19,440
  7. Benedictine University $19,181
  8. Wheaton College $18,720
  9. Bradley University $17,820
  10. North Central College $15,822
  1. Aurora University
  2. McKendree University
  3. North Central College
  4. Chicago State University
  5. Benedictine University
  6. Eastern Illinois University
  7. University of Illinois Springfield
  8. Western Illinois University
  9. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
  10. Lake Forest College
  1. McKendree University
  2. Aurora University
  3. Benedictine University
  4. North Central College
  5. University of Illinois Springfield
  6. Eastern Illinois University
  7. Western Illinois University
  8. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
  9. Chicago State University
  10. Lake Forest College
  1. University of Chicago 5%
  2. Northwestern University 7%
  3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 45%
  4. Chicago State University 49%
  5. Lake Forest College 60%
  6. North Central College 61%
  7. Illinois Institute of Technology 61%
  8. McKendree University 68%
  9. Eastern Illinois University 68%
  10. DePaul University 70%
  1. University of Chicago 5 to 1
  2. Northwestern University 6 to 1
  3. Knox College 9 to 1
  4. Chicago State University 11 to 1
  5. Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11 to 1
  6. Roosevelt University 11 to 1
  7. University of Illinois Springfield 12 to 1
  8. North Central College 12 to 1
  9. Lake Forest College 12 to 1
  10. Bradley University 12 to 1
  1. Eastern Illinois University $9,417
  2. University of Illinois Springfield $9,758
  3. Illinois State University $10,907
  4. Chicago State University $12,018
  5. University of Illinois Chicago $12,396
  6. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville $12,558
  7. Northern Illinois University $12,662
  8. Western Illinois University $14,406
  9. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign $14,542
  10. Southern Illinois University Carbondale $15,416
  1. Columbia College Chicago $1,209
  2. Chicago State University $5,976
  3. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville $7,402
  4. Eastern Illinois University $7,691
  5. Illinois State University $7,694
  6. Western Illinois University $8,609
  7. University of Illinois Springfield $8,858
  8. Northern Illinois University $9,066
  9. McKendree University $9,450
  10. Southern Illinois University Carbondale $11,268

Colleges and Universities in Illinois

Prospective students searching for colleges in Illinois have plenty of excellent schools to choose from. Illinois offers over 130 higher education institutes throughout the state. Thanks to an expansive public university system and several top private institutions, students can select from an extremely wide array of brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Illinois.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois at Chicago, the state’s two largest public universities in Illinois. Students can access a full spectrum of undergraduate and graduate degrees for in-state tuition rates of $13,000 to $15,000 respectively. Both public universities also offer a full selection of online degree programs.

It’s also worth noting that Illinois residents who pursue online degrees at public colleges in Illinois will qualify for in-state tuition rates. Out of state students will generally pay more whether pursuing on-campus or online degrees.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

More than half of the colleges in Illinois are actually private schools. Among these private colleges and universities, the most notable are DePaul University, Northwestern University, and Loyola University Chicago. Tuition from these three private schools can be costly, ranging from $44,000 to $55,000. However, each of these private schools boasts a high graduation rate and excellent professors.

Illinois is also home to many small private schools, including Benedictine University and National Louis University.

Popular disciplines in Illinois include disciplines like criminal justice, social work, nursing, education, religious studies, communications, and medicine. Both traditional and online students have a wide range of options in each of these subject areas.

Degree completion programs are also widely available for lapsed students who have already accumulated some college credits. This is an especially popular online degree option among working professionals in Illinois.

Additionally, Illinois offers several loan forgiveness-based financial aid programs for qualifying students pursuing careers as teachers, public defenders or prosecutors, or nurses.

From the skyscrapers in Chicago to the vast prairie lands in the north, Illinois is a place where city meets country. Students can grab a Chicago-style hotdog on the way to a Cubs game, explore the ancient sandstone cliffs in the Shawnee National Forest, or admire an exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago, all while attending one of The Prairie State’s universities or colleges.

The higher education institutes in Illinois have also produced many prominent alumni, including Stephen Colbert, Phillip Glass, and Kurt Vonnegut. Students hoping to walk the same streets as these well-known individuals can check out some of the state’s top programs and universities.


What are Illinois’s Colleges & Universities?

Illinois’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

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We’ve identified 53 colleges and universities in Illinois that meet our criteria. This list of the top 25 colleges in Illinois below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Illinois.

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Best Colleges in Illinois 2023

  1. #1

    University of Chicago

    Chicago , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    21K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1540/34

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $62,940
    Expenses: $22,596
    Starting Salary: $103,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Northwestern University

    Cost of Degree: $63,468
    Expenses: $25,926
    Starting Salary: $93,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    45%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    62K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/31

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Cost of Degree: $17,782
    Expenses: $16,420
    Starting Salary: $70,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign known for?

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/27

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Illinois Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $15,472
    Expenses: $21,826
    Starting Salary: $61,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Illinois Chicago’s Online Degrees

    BS in Health Information Management
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $51K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Illinois Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $50,279
    Expenses: $21,270
    Starting Salary: $78,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Loyola University Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $49,498
    Expenses: $18,320
    Starting Salary: $63,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Loyola University Chicago’s Online Degrees

    BA in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Web Technologies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Applied Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Strategic Digital Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #7

    DePaul University

    Chicago , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/27

    Career Outlook for degree at DePaul University

    Cost of Degree: $43,100
    Expenses: $19,713
    Starting Salary: $60,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    DePaul University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Decision Analytics
    • Required Credits: 192
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Computing
    • Required Credits: 192
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Applied Behavioral Sciences
    • Required Credits: 192
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BA in Leadership Studies
    • Required Credits: 192
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    18K

    Career Outlook for degree at Northern Illinois University

    Cost of Degree: $12,472
    Expenses: $15,160
    Starting Salary: $49,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

    Cost of Degree: $15,416
    Expenses: $14,673
    Starting Salary: $49,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #13

    Roosevelt University

    Chicago , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    960/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Roosevelt University

    Cost of Degree: $33,068
    Expenses: $20,625
    Starting Salary: $47,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Roosevelt University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 147
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Health Science Administration
    • Required Credits: 131-135
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Bachelor'S In Psychology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Columbia College Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $31,026
    Expenses: $22,690
    Starting Salary: $39,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. #15

    Knox College

    Galesburg , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1290/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Knox College

    Cost of Degree: $53,259
    Expenses: $12,748
    Starting Salary: $43,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #16

    Lake Forest College

    Lake Forest , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1246/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Lake Forest College

    Cost of Degree: $52,902
    Expenses: $15,898
    Starting Salary: $55,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1045/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

    Cost of Degree: $11,748
    Expenses: $14,304
    Starting Salary: $50,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Southern Illinois University Edwardsville known for?

    Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Illinois University

    Cost of Degree: $13,661
    Expenses: $13,721
    Starting Salary: $47,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Western Illinois University’s Online Degrees

    BB in Accountancy
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BB in Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Fire Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interpersonal Communication And Processes
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1104/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Illinois Springfield

    Cost of Degree: $12,190
    Expenses: $14,388
    Starting Salary: $49,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Illinois Springfield known for?

    University of Illinois Springfield’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Illinois Springfield’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 53-55
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Sports Management
    • Required Credits: 53-55
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 53-55
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    • Required Credits: 32
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management
    • Required Credits: 53-55
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 53-55
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. #20

    Eastern Illinois University

    Charleston , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Illinois University

    Cost of Degree: $12,809
    Expenses: $13,696
    Starting Salary: $46,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Eastern Illinois University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Development
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication In Organizations
    • Required Credits: 46
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 35
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Promotion
    Degree Concentrations
    • Emergency Management And Disaster Preparedness
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Benedictine University

    Cost of Degree: $32,441
    Expenses: $15,042
    Starting Salary: $56,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Benedictine University known for?

    Benedictine University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Benedictine University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Digital Marketing
    • Human Resources Management
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Professional Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  19. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Chicago State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,018
    Expenses: $20,700
    Starting Salary: $38,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  20. #23

    North Central College

    Naperville , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/25

    Career Outlook for degree at North Central College

    Cost of Degree: $43,046
    Expenses: $14,920
    Starting Salary: $52,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is North Central College known for?

    North Central College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  21. #24

    McKendree University

    Lebanon , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at McKendree University

    Cost of Degree: $33,430
    Expenses: $15,300
    Starting Salary: $50,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is McKendree University known for?

    McKendree University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    McKendree University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Supply Chain Management And Logistics
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Cyber Defense
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology/Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  22. #25

    Aurora University

    Aurora , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1089/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Aurora University

    Cost of Degree: $27,420
    Expenses: $16,602
    Starting Salary: $46,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Aurora University known for?

    Aurora University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Aurora University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Illinois’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of Chicago
  2. Northwestern University
  3. Illinois Institute of Technology
  4. Wheaton College
  5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  6. University of Illinois Chicago
  7. Knox College
  8. University of Illinois Springfield
  9. Trinity International University
  10. DePaul University
  11. Principia College
  12. Loyola University Chicago
  13. Monmouth College
  14. Illinois Wesleyan University
  15. Lake Forest College
  16. Illinois State University
  17. Illinois College
  18. Bradley University
  19. Dominican University
  20. Eastern Illinois University
  21. North Central College
  22. Augustana College
  23. Elmhurst University
  24. Olivet Nazarene University
  25. Millikin University
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