Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2024

BEST IN ILLINOIS CHRISTIAN COLLEGES

For prospective college students looking for schools that align with their Christian faith and demonstrate academic excellence, here are the best Christian colleges and universities in Illinois.

10 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois

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  1. Loyola University Chicago
  2. DePaul University
  3. Wheaton College
  4. Augustana College
  5. Elmhurst University
  6. Eureka College
  7. Illinois College
  8. Monmouth College
  9. North Central College
  10. Trinity International University
  1. Trinity International University 91%
  2. Concordia University Chicago 88%
  3. Eureka College 87%
  4. Wheaton College 86%
  5. Saint Xavier University 85%
  6. Dominican University 81%
  7. Benedictine University 80%
  8. Greenville University 80%
  9. McKendree University 78%
  10. Loyola University Chicago 77%
  1. DePaul University 17 to 1
  2. Saint Xavier University 16 to 1
  3. Quincy University 15 to 1
  4. Lewis University 14 to 1
  5. Loyola University Chicago 14 to 1
  6. McKendree University 14 to 1
  7. Olivet Nazarene University 14 to 1
  8. Elmhurst University 13 to 1
  9. North Central College 13 to 1
  10. Illinois College 13 to 1
  1. Loyola University Chicago $47,808
  2. Augustana College $46,189
  3. North Central College $42,206
  4. DePaul University $42,012
  5. Monmouth College $41,390
  6. Wheaton College $40,820
  7. Elmhurst University $39,400
  8. Olivet Nazarene University $37,440
  9. Dominican University $35,570
  10. Lewis University $35,472
  1. Augustana College $33,000
  2. Elmhurst University $32,500
  3. Dominican University $19,943
  4. Loyola University Chicago $18,990
  5. Benedictine University $18,530
  6. Wheaton College $18,096
  7. DePaul University $17,951
  8. Trinity International University $17,280
  9. North Central College $15,822
  10. Judson University $15,814
  1. Greenville University
  2. Blackburn College
  3. Judson University
  4. Trinity Christian College
  5. Concordia University Chicago
  6. University of St. Francis
  7. Dominican University
  8. Olivet Nazarene University
  9. Lewis University
  10. Saint Xavier University
  1. Quincy University 60%
  2. Olivet Nazarene University 61%
  3. Judson University 62%
  4. Blackburn College 66%
  5. Monmouth College 66%
  6. North Park University 67%
  7. University of St. Francis 68%
  8. North Central College 68%
  9. Augustana College 69%
  10. DePaul University 69%
  1. Trinity International University 8 to 1
  2. Monmouth College 9 to 1
  3. Greenville University 10 to 1
  4. North Park University 10 to 1
  5. Trinity Christian College 10 to 1
  6. Judson University 10 to 1
  7. Dominican University 10 to 1
  8. Wheaton College 10 to 1
  9. Eureka College 11 to 1
  10. Blackburn College 11 to 1
  1. Blackburn College $25,570
  2. Eureka College $28,360
  3. Greenville University $29,810
  4. Judson University $29,870
  5. Quincy University $31,160
  6. North Park University $33,050
  7. McKendree University $33,050
  8. Trinity International University $33,298
  9. Trinity Christian College $33,325
  10. Benedictine University $34,290
  1. Greenville University $8,568
  2. Illinois College $9,000
  3. Concordia University Chicago $9,090
  4. McKendree University $9,756
  5. Trinity Christian College $10,458
  6. Quincy University $12,000
  7. Olivet Nazarene University $12,190
  8. University of St. Francis $13,464
  9. North Park University $14,004
  10. Lewis University $14,760

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

The following list of the best Christian schools consists entirely of colleges and universities that offer four-year undergraduate degrees. We’ve identified 24 Christian colleges in Illinois. In order to be included in this ranking list of best Christian colleges and universities, a school must self-identify as Christian, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor degree programs.

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Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/28

    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
  2. #2

    DePaul University

    Chicago , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    19K

    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
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1070/22

    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
  4. #6

    McKendree University

    Lebanon , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1074/23

    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
  5. Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1035/21

    What is Saint Xavier University known for?

    Saint Xavier University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Saint Xavier University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Applied Communication
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Rn To Bsn Nursing
    • Required Credits: 34
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #8

    Augustana College

    Rock Island , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    2K

  7. Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1005/23

    Trinity International University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Christian Ministries
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #10

    Eureka College

    Eureka , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1025/19

    What is Eureka College known for?

    Eureka College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #11

    Illinois College

    Jacksonville , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    1K

    Illinois College’s Online Degrees

    BA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 42
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Agribusiness Management
    • Required Credits: 42
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 46
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 42-44
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. #12

    Lewis University

    Romeoville , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/24

    What is Lewis University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Lewis University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Professional Sales
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice
    • Security Studies
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #13

    Olivet Nazarene University

    Bourbonnais , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/22

    What is Olivet Nazarene University known for?

    Olivet Nazarene University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Olivet Nazarene University’s Online Degrees

    BSB in Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSL in Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Multidisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. #14

    Monmouth College

    Monmouth , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/24

  13. #15

    North Park University

    Chicago , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1031/22

    What is North Park University known for?

    North Park University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    North Park University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Digital Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Nonprofit Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Management And Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. #16

    Dominican University

    River Forest , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/21

    What is Dominican University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. #17

    Quincy University

    Quincy , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1087/22

    What is Quincy University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Quincy University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Writing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. #18

    Trinity Christian College

    Palos Heights , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/23

    What is Trinity Christian College known for?

    Trinity Christian College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  17. #19

    Elmhurst University

    Elmhurst , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/23

    Elmhurst University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Finance
    • International Business
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Logistics And Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in It
    Degree Concentrations
    • Computer Information Systems
    • Cybersecurity
    • Programming
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  18. #20

    Judson University

    Elgin , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1000/20

    What is Judson University known for?

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

  19. #21

    Concordia University Chicago

    River Forest , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/22

    What is Concordia University Chicago known for?

    Concordia University Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Concordia University Chicago’s Online Degrees

    BS in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Management
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sports Recreation Management
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA to MBA in Business Administration Dual Degree
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA to MA in Sports Leadership Dual Degree
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA to MA in Triton College 3+1: Sports And Recreation Management
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Healthcare Management
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Kinesiology
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  20. Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/23

    What is University of St. Francis known for?

    University of St. Francis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    University of St. Francis’s Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Management
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  21. #23

    Blackburn College

    Carlinville , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    984/20

  22. #24

    Greenville University

    Greenville , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    990/20

    What is Greenville University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Greenville University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Agribusiness
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Illinois’s Best Christian 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. Wheaton College
  2. Trinity International University
  3. DePaul University
  4. Loyola University Chicago
  5. Monmouth College
  6. Illinois College
  7. Dominican University
  8. North Central College
  9. Augustana College
  10. Elmhurst University
  11. Olivet Nazarene University
  12. Millikin University
  13. Benedictine University
  14. Trinity Christian College
  15. Quincy University
  16. Saint Xavier University
  17. Lewis University
  18. McKendree University
  19. North Park University
  20. Eureka College

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