Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023

Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023

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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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 2022

  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. Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1070/22

    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

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1074/23

    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

    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. 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
  7. #10

    Eureka College

    Eureka , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1025/19

  8. #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
  9. #12

    Lewis University

    Romeoville , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/24

    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
  10. #13

    Olivet Nazarene University

    Bourbonnais , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/22

    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
  11. #14

    Monmouth College

    Monmouth , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/24

  12. #15

    North Park University

    Chicago , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1031/22

    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
  13. #16

    Dominican University

    River Forest , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/21

  14. #17

    Quincy University

    Quincy , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1087/22

    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
  15. #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

  16. #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
  17. #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:

    Most Influential Alumni

  18. #21

    Concordia University Chicago

    River Forest , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/22

    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
  19. Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/23

    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
  20. #23

    Blackburn College

    Carlinville , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    984/20

  21. #24

    Greenville University

    Greenville , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    990/20

    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