Best Grad Schools Illinois 2023

Best Grad Schools Illinois 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Illinois offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

10 Best Grad Schools in Illinois

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  1. University of Chicago
    2. 88%
  2. Northwestern University
    3. 74%
  3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    4. 68%
  4. Illinois Institute of Technology
    5. 58%
  5. University of Illinois Chicago
    6. 55%
  6. Loyola University Chicago
    7. 52%
  7. DePaul University
    8. 49%
  8. Northern Illinois University
    9. 46%
  9. Illinois State University
    10. 43%
  10. Wheaton College
    11. 43%
  1. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
    2. 98%
  2. National Louis University
    3. 97%
  3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
    4. 95%
  4. Illinois State University
    5. 92%
  5. Roosevelt University
    6. 92%
  6. Trinity International University
    7. 91%
  7. Concordia University Chicago
    8. 88%
  8. Aurora University
    9. 86%
  9. Wheaton College
    10. 86%
  10. Dominican University
    11. 81%
  1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    2. 20 to 1
  2. Aurora University
    3. 20 to 1
  3. Illinois State University
    4. 19 to 1
  4. University of Illinois Chicago
    5. 18 to 1
  5. DePaul University
    6. 17 to 1
  6. National Louis University
    7. 16 to 1
  7. Northern Illinois University
    8. 16 to 1
  8. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
    9. 16 to 1
  9. Loyola University Chicago
    10. 14 to 1
  10. McKendree University
    11. 14 to 1
  1. University of Chicago
    2. $62,241
  2. Northwestern University
    3. $60,768
  3. Illinois Institute of Technology
    4. $50,490
  4. Loyola University Chicago
    5. $47,808
  5. DePaul University
    6. $42,012
  6. Wheaton College
    7. $40,820
  7. Olivet Nazarene University
    8. $37,440
  8. Dominican University
    9. $35,570
  9. Lewis University
    10. $35,472
  10. University of St. Francis
    11. $35,000
  1. University of Chicago
    2. $62,640
  2. Northwestern University
    3. $56,067
  3. Illinois Institute of Technology
    4. $29,052
  4. Roosevelt University
    5. $21,275
  5. Dominican University
    6. $19,943
  6. Loyola University Chicago
    7. $18,990
  7. Benedictine University
    8. $18,530
  8. Wheaton College
    9. $18,096
  9. DePaul University
    10. $17,951
  10. Trinity International University
    11. $17,280
  1. Concordia University Chicago
    2. 20%
  2. Judson University
    3. 20%
  3. University of St. Francis
    4. 20%
  4. Dominican University
    5. 21%
  5. Lewis University
    6. 23%
  6. Olivet Nazarene University
    7. 25%
  7. Governors State University
    8. 25%
  8. Trinity International University
    9. 26%
  9. Benedictine University
    10. 28%
  10. National Louis University
    11. 28%
  1. University of Chicago
    2. 6%
  2. Northwestern University
    3. 7%
  3. Chicago State University
    4. 47%
  4. Governors State University
    5. 52%
  5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    6. 60%
  6. Olivet Nazarene University
    7. 61%
  7. Judson University
    8. 62%
  8. Illinois Institute of Technology
    9. 66%
  9. University of St. Francis
    10. 68%
  10. DePaul University
    11. 69%
  1. University of Chicago
    2. 5 to 1
  2. Northwestern University
    3. 6 to 1
  3. Trinity International University
    4. 8 to 1
  4. Chicago State University
    5. 9 to 1
  5. Wheaton College
    6. 10 to 1
  6. Illinois Institute of Technology
    7. 10 to 1
  7. Judson University
    8. 10 to 1
  8. Dominican University
    9. 10 to 1
  9. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
    10. 11 to 1
  10. Governors State University
    11. 11 to 1
  1. Chicago State University
    2. $7,488
  2. Governors State University
    3. $7,512
  3. University of Illinois Springfield
    4. $9,645
  4. Illinois State University
    5. $10,932
  5. National Louis University
    6. $11,505
  6. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
    7. $12,219
  7. University of Illinois Chicago
    8. $12,253
  8. Northern Illinois University
    9. $12,478
  9. Western Illinois University
    10. $13,669
  10. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    11. $14,446
  1. Chicago State University
    2. $5,850
  2. Governors State University
    3. $6,354
  3. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
    4. $7,146
  4. Illinois State University
    5. $7,805
  5. Western Illinois University
    6. $8,319
  6. University of Illinois Springfield
    7. $8,375
  7. Northern Illinois University
    8. $8,942
  8. Concordia University Chicago
    9. $9,090
  9. McKendree University
    10. $9,756
  10. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
    11. $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


Illinois's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 28 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Illinois. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Illinois is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Illinois 2022

  1. #1

    University of Chicago

    Chicago , IL
    #6 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2023 #6 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #6 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #7 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    What is University of Chicago known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  2. #2

    Northwestern University

    Evanston , IL
    #14 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #15 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #15 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #16 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    What is Northwestern University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  22. #19

    Aurora University

    Aurora , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/21

    What is Aurora University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  26. #22

    National Louis University

    Chicago , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    6K

    What is National Louis University known for?

    National Louis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  28. #24

    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

  29. #25

    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

  31. #26

    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

  32. #27

    Concordia University Chicago

    River Forest , IL

    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

  33. #28

    University of St. Francis

    Joliet , IL

    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:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Illinois’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  4. University of Illinois Chicago
  5. Illinois Institute of Technology
  6. DePaul University
  7. Wheaton College
  8. Illinois State University
  9. Loyola University Chicago
  10. University of Illinois Springfield
  11. Western Illinois University
  12. Trinity International University
  13. Olivet Nazarene University
  14. Dominican University
  15. Lewis University
  16. Benedictine University
  17. Governors State University
  18. McKendree University
  19. Aurora University
  20. University of St. Francis
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