Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2024
Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Illinois provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.
10 Best Public Colleges in Illinois
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
- Illinois State University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Western Illinois University
- University of Illinois Springfield
- Eastern Illinois University
- Chicago State University
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
- Illinois State University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Chicago State University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Western Illinois University
- Eastern Illinois University
- University of Illinois Springfield
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 98%
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale 91%
- Illinois State University 86%
- University of Illinois Springfield 82%
- University of Illinois Chicago 79%
- Western Illinois University 75%
- Northern Illinois University 71%
- Eastern Illinois University 68%
- Northeastern Illinois University 63%
- Governors State University 57%
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 21 to 1
- Illinois State University 19 to 1
- University of Illinois Chicago 18 to 1
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15 to 1
- Eastern Illinois University 15 to 1
- Northern Illinois University 14 to 1
- Western Illinois University 13 to 1
- University of Illinois Springfield 12 to 1
- Chicago State University 11 to 1
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11 to 1
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale $15,416
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign $14,542
- Western Illinois University $14,406
- Northern Illinois University $12,662
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville $12,558
- University of Illinois Chicago $12,396
- Chicago State University $12,018
- Illinois State University $10,907
- Northeastern Illinois University $10,091
- University of Illinois Springfield $9,758
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign $14,891
- University of Illinois Chicago $14,181
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale $11,268
- Northern Illinois University $9,066
- University of Illinois Springfield $8,858
- Western Illinois University $8,609
- Northeastern Illinois University $7,790
- Illinois State University $7,694
- Eastern Illinois University $7,691
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville $7,402
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Governors State University
- Chicago State University
- Eastern Illinois University
- University of Illinois Springfield
- Western Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Illinois State University
- Northern Illinois University
- Governors State University
- Northeastern Illinois University
- University of Illinois Springfield
- Eastern Illinois University
- Western Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Chicago State University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Illinois State University
- Northern Illinois University
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 45%
- Chicago State University 49%
- Governors State University 57%
- Northeastern Illinois University 63%
- Eastern Illinois University 68%
- Northern Illinois University 71%
- Western Illinois University 75%
- University of Illinois Chicago 79%
- University of Illinois Springfield 82%
- Illinois State University 86%
- Northeastern Illinois University 9 to 1
- Governors State University 10 to 1
- Chicago State University 11 to 1
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale 11 to 1
- University of Illinois Springfield 12 to 1
- Western Illinois University 13 to 1
- Northern Illinois University 14 to 1
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15 to 1
- Eastern Illinois University 15 to 1
- University of Illinois Chicago 18 to 1
- Governors State University $7,512
- Eastern Illinois University $9,417
- University of Illinois Springfield $9,758
- Northeastern Illinois University $10,091
- Illinois State University $10,907
- Chicago State University $12,018
- University of Illinois Chicago $12,396
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville $12,558
- Northern Illinois University $12,662
- Western Illinois University $14,406
- Chicago State University $5,976
- Governors State University $6,354
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville $7,402
- Eastern Illinois University $7,691
- Illinois State University $7,694
- Northeastern Illinois University $7,790
- Western Illinois University $8,609
- University of Illinois Springfield $8,858
- Northern Illinois University $9,066
- 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?
- 17 Research Universities
- 36 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 28 Graduate Schools
- 12 Public Colleges & Universities
- 44 Private Colleges & Universities
- 24 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 34 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 15 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 49 Community Colleges
- 28 Online Colleges
Illinois’s Best Overall
What is the difference between public and private colleges?
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.
This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 12 public universities in Illinois. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Illinois, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.
Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2023
- #2 15 Best Self-paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #13 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #17 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #18 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025
Other Rankings
- #18 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
- #1 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025
- #3 Best Colleges in Illinois 2025
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #3 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2025
- #3 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2025
- #24 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois
- #2 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master’s of Computer Science 2025
- #2 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Public Relations Ranked 2024
- #2 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
- #3 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs) 2025
- #4 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs 2025
- #4 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
- #7 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2025
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: $17,782Expenses: $16,420Starting Salary: $70,900Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign known for?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Engineering
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Economics
- Biology
- Philosophy
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #5 Best Colleges in Illinois 2025 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #5 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2025
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: $15,472Expenses: $21,826Starting Salary: $61,300Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Illinois Chicago known for?
University of Illinois Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- Economics
- Physics
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
University of Illinois Chicago’s Online Degrees
BS in Health Information Management
- Required Credits: 123
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #8 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2025 #9 Best Colleges in Illinois 2025 #9 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
53%
Student body
18K
Career Outlook for degree at Northern Illinois University
Cost of Degree: $12,472Expenses: $15,160Starting Salary: $49,800Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northern Illinois University known for?
Northern Illinois University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Communications
- Literature
- Political Science
- History
- Biology
- Physics
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #9 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2025 #10 Best Colleges in Illinois 2025 #10 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
67%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1105/24
Career Outlook for degree at Illinois State University
Cost of Degree: $13,941Expenses: $17,288Starting Salary: $51,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Illinois State University known for?
Illinois State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Nursing
- Education
- Physics
- Communications
- Anthropology
- History
- Earth Sciences
- Literature
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #10 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2025 #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs 2025 #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Illinois
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: $15,416Expenses: $14,673Starting Salary: $49,500Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Southern Illinois University Carbondale known for?
Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Medical
- Communications
- Literature
- Earth Sciences
- Anthropology
- Engineering
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #16 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs #8 20 Fastest Accelerated Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024 #10 20 Fastest Online Bachelor's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2024
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: $11,748Expenses: $14,304Starting Salary: $50,800Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Southern Illinois University Edwardsville known for?
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois 2024 #8 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois #5 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2024
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Illinois 2024
- #11 Best Online Bachelor's in Anthropology 2025
- #11 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
- #17 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs
- #20 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting 2025
- #24 Best Online Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
47%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Western Illinois University
Cost of Degree: $13,661Expenses: $13,721Starting Salary: $47,500Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Western Illinois University known for?
Western Illinois University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Earth Sciences
- History
- Communications
- Education
- Business
- Biology
- Economics
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in Illinois 2025 #10 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #3 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Computer Science
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: $12,190Expenses: $14,388Starting Salary: $49,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Illinois Springfield known for?
University of Illinois Springfield’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Medical
- Literature
- Business
- Mathematics
- Sociology
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
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois 2024 #9 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #2 Best Online Master’s in Human Services #6 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
55%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Illinois University
Cost of Degree: $12,809Expenses: $13,696Starting Salary: $46,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Eastern Illinois University known for?
Eastern Illinois University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #5 Best Small Colleges in Illinois 2025 #6 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois 2024 #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Illinois 2024
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
28%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Chicago State University
Cost of Degree: $12,018Expenses: $20,700Starting Salary: $38,200Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Chicago State University known for?
Chicago State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Education
- Social Work
- Mathematics
- History
- Communications
- Medical
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees #11 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois #11 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2024 #16 Best Online Master's Programs in Illinois 2024
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
21%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Governors State University
Cost of Degree: $10,468Expenses: $15,100Starting Salary: $44,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Governors State University known for?
Governors State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Education
- Business
- Computer Science
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
Governors State University’s Online Degrees
BA in Business And Applied Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Rn To Bsn Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
19%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Northeastern Illinois University
Cost of Degree: $12,101Expenses: $20,360Starting Salary: $41,900Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northeastern Illinois University known for?
Northeastern Illinois University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Economics
- Social Work
- Education
- Literature
- Political Science
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Criminal Justice
- History
Most Influential Alumni
Illinois’s Best Public College in Your Area of 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.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois Chicago
- University of Illinois Springfield
- Northern Illinois University
- Illinois State University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Eastern Illinois University
- Western Illinois University
- Governors State University
Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.