Best Private Colleges in Illinois 2025

Badge for BEST IN ILLINOIS PRIVATE COLLEGES

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Illinois.

Key Takeaways

  • Small class sizes and favorable student-to-faculty ratios foster close relationships with professors, creating supportive and individualized academic experiences in the best private colleges in Illinois.
  • The colleges in our ranking often have well-established partnerships with businesses and organizations, offering students robust internship opportunities and career support that enhance job prospects after graduation.
  • With a wide range of academic offerings that blend liberal arts with professional studies, students at one of the best private colleges in Illinois can pursue diverse interests and prepare for various career paths, all within a single institution.

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best private colleges in Illinois remained fairly stable. Roosevelt University gained a ranking position as the university has made several appealing improvements for the 2025 school year, including an $8.3 million grant-funded upgrade to campus facilities, with significant renovations to the historic Auditorium Building. Additionally, the Chicago College of Performing Arts has launched a Piano Improvement Project, adding new, state-of-the-art Yamaha instruments to support music students.

Alongside record-breaking freshman enrollment, these enhancements underscore Roosevelt’s commitment to enriching student experience and maintaining a high standard of educational and community engagement.

This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 41 private universities in Illinois. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Illinois, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  1. #1

    University of Chicago

    Chicago , IL

    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: $65,619
    Expenses: $23,421
    Starting Salary: $103,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. 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: $65,997
    Expenses: $25,293
    Starting Salary: $93,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. 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: $50,917
    Expenses: $21,228
    Starting Salary: $78,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. 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: $51,716
    Expenses: $19,694
    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
  5. #5

    DePaul University

    Chicago , IL

    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: $44,174
    Expenses: $22,338
    Starting Salary: $60,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 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
  6. #6

    Wheaton College

    Wheaton , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Wheaton College

    Cost of Degree: $43,936
    Expenses: $15,740
    Starting Salary: $60,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #7

    Roosevelt University

    Chicago , IL

    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: $20,280
    Expenses: $23,135
    Starting Salary: $47,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 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
  8. #8

    Bradley University

    Peoria , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1165/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Bradley University

    Cost of Degree: $39,680
    Expenses: $16,290
    Starting Salary: $58,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Columbia College Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $32,520
    Expenses: $21,768
    Starting Salary: $39,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #10

    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: $55,587
    Expenses: $13,039
    Starting Salary: $43,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #11

    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: $54,202
    Expenses: $17,148
    Starting Salary: $55,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. #12

    Augustana College

    Rock Island , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Augustana College

    Cost of Degree: $49,834
    Expenses: $15,014
    Starting Salary: $56,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #13

    Illinois Wesleyan University

    Bloomington , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $54K

    Acceptance

    42%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Illinois Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $55,704
    Expenses: $15,430
    Starting Salary: $67,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #14

    Eureka College

    Eureka , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Eureka College

    Cost of Degree: $28,400
    Expenses: $12,992
    Starting Salary: $40,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Eureka College known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1015/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Trinity International University

    Cost of Degree: $12,320
    Expenses: $10,177
    Starting Salary: $45,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
  16. #16

    Illinois College

    Jacksonville , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1043/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Illinois College

    Cost of Degree: $37,470
    Starting Salary: $49,100

    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
  17. Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Benedictine University

    Cost of Degree: $32,546
    Expenses: $15,654
    Starting Salary: $56,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 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
  18. #18

    Aurora University

    Aurora , IL

    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: $28,220
    Expenses: $17,644
    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
  19. Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at National Louis University

    Cost of Degree: $14,601
    Starting Salary: $50,800
    What is National Louis University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    National Louis University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Sciences
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BABS in Communications
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Services
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Leadership
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  20. #20

    North Central College

    Naperville , IL

    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: $44,394
    Expenses: $15,568
    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. #21

    Rockford University

    Rockford , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    963/16

    Career Outlook for degree at Rockford University

    Cost of Degree: $37,000
    Expenses: $15,600
    Starting Salary: $47,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Rockford University’s Online Degrees

    BSMS in Bachelor Of Science In Management Studies
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSAS in Bachelors Of Science In Accounting Studies
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  22. Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Xavier University

    Cost of Degree: $36,840
    Expenses: $16,008
    Starting Salary: $50,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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
  23. #23

    Millikin University

    Decatur , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Millikin University

    Cost of Degree: $43,570
    Expenses: $16,430
    Starting Salary: $47,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Millikin University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Millikin University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  24. #24

    McKendree University

    Lebanon , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at McKendree University

    Cost of Degree: $34,070
    Expenses: $15,980
    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
  25. #25

    Lewis University

    Romeoville , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1105/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Lewis University

    Cost of Degree: $37,882
    Expenses: $15,830
    Starting Salary: $53,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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
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Illinois’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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. Knox College
  6. Trinity International University
  7. DePaul University
  8. Principia College
  9. Loyola University Chicago
  10. Monmouth College
  11. Illinois Wesleyan University
  12. Lake Forest College
  13. Illinois College
  14. Bradley University
  15. Dominican University
  16. North Central College
  17. Augustana College
  18. Elmhurst University
  19. Olivet Nazarene University
  20. Millikin University
  21. Benedictine University
  22. Trinity Christian College
  23. Quincy University
  24. Saint Xavier University
  25. Lewis University

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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