Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find, well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Research Universities in Illinois 2023

By James Barham

Published: Mar 23, 2021
Updated: Jan 24, 2023

Interested in attending a STEM school in Illinois? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

10 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2022

University of Chicago
Northwestern University
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Chicago
Illinois Institute of Technology
Loyola University Chicago
DePaul University
Northern Illinois University
Illinois State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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

How do we determine Illinois's best research universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 17 research universities in Illinois. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Best Research Universities in Illinois 2022

#1
University of Chicago
Chicago , IL
#6 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #6 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #6 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 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:

Economics
Philosophy
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Criminal Justice
Earth Sciences
Social Work
Mathematics
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Milton Friedman
Herbert A. Simon
Paul Samuelson
Richard Rorty
Joseph Stiglitz
James Watson
Martin Gardner
Thomas Sowell
Gary Becker
John B. Watson
James M. Buchanan
Philip Roth
#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 Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 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:

Business
Communications
Law
Economics
Sociology
Anthropology
Education
Literature
Political Science
Philosophy

Most Influential Alumni

Stephen Colbert
George Stigler
Saul Bellow
Aaron Director
Robert Hanssen
George R. R. Martin
J. Gordon Melton
Charles W. Morris
Walter Dill Scott
Alston Scott Householder
Rudolph Rummel
Joseph Greenberg
#3
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign , IL
#8 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #9 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #13 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #16 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
85%
Student body
55K
Median SAT/ACT
1330/30
What is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign known for?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Engineering
Chemistry
Mathematics
Computer Science
Physics
Communications
Psychology
Economics
Biology
Sociology

Most Influential Alumni

Paul Halmos
Jack Kilby
Eugenio Calabi
Richard Hamming
James Tobin
Steven Best
Jerome Lettvin
Christine Korsgaard
Hamilton O. Smith
Roger Ebert
Brendan Eich
Donald Johanson
#4
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago , IL
#2 Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2023 #4 Best Colleges in Illinois 2023 #4 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2023
Other Rankings
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
62%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1140/25
What is University of Illinois Chicago known for?

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

Mathematics
Philosophy
Physics
Medical
Computer Science
Chemistry
Engineering
Economics
Biology
Anthropology

Most Influential Alumni

Polykarp Kusch
William A. Dembski
John R. Hodge
Nancy Cartwright
Joseph Mercola
Bernard Shaw
Al Jourgensen
Richard Hunt
Tony Podesta
Adrian Smith
George Remus
Hasia Diner
University of Illinois Chicago’s Online Degrees
BS in Health Information Management

Required Credits: 123
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#5
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago , IL
#8 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #1 Best Small Colleges in Illinois 2023 #3 Best Private Colleges in Illinois 2023 #5 Best Colleges in Illinois 2023
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2023
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
71%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1295/29
What is Illinois Institute of Technology known for?

Illinois Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Engineering
Computer Science
Economics
Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
Business
Law
Sociology
Social Work

Most Influential Alumni

Munir Ahmad Khan
Jack Dongarra
Jack Steinberger
Helmut Jahn
Sidney Coleman
Watts Humphrey
Virgil Abloh
Roger B. Chaffee
Kevin Roche
Grote Reber
Arthur Krock
Samuel Karlin
#6
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago , IL
#1 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #5 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #11 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
72%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/28
What is Loyola University Chicago known for?

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

Religious Studies
Social Work
Nursing
Philosophy
Law
Medical
Business
Psychology
Sociology
History

Most Influential Alumni

Marsha M. Linehan
Norman Geisler
William M. Daley
Bruce Lerman
Levi Bryant
Sandra Cisneros
Alphonso Lingis
Stuart Dybek
Joseph Fitzmyer
Mamie Till
Simone Elkeles
Robert A. Wild
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
#7
DePaul University
Chicago , IL
#3 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #19 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023 #5 Best Private Colleges in Illinois 2023
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Colleges in Illinois 2023
- #7 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2023
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
70%
Student body
19K
What is DePaul University known for?

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

Religious Studies
Philosophy
Business
Social Work
Law
Education
Sociology
Computer Science
Mathematics
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Graham Harman
George Papadopoulos
Mary Kenneth Keller
Robert Plomin
Harvey Korman
Thomas Moore
Haile Gerima
Gillian Anderson
Cole Bennett
Richard J. Daley
Samuel K. Skinner
Edward M. Burke
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
#8
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb , IL
#3 Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2023 #8 Best Colleges in Illinois 2023 #8 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2023
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
51%
Student body
14K
What is Northern Illinois University known for?

Northern Illinois University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Mathematics
Anthropology
Earth Sciences
Political Science
Physics
History
Literature
Biology
Education
Business

Most Influential Alumni

Paul Sereno
Kenneth Womack
Markos Moulitsas
Steven Schafersman
Andrew L. Traver
Bharath Sriraman
Robert Zemeckis
Chel Diokno
David Roediger
Kevin Folta
Judith Curry
James F. Phillips
#9
Illinois State University
Normal , IL
#4 Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2023 #10 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2023
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
67%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/23
What is Illinois State University known for?

Illinois State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Physics
Chemistry
Nursing
Anthropology
Education
Earth Sciences
Biology
Engineering
History
Literature

Most Influential Alumni

Ralph Modjeski
K. Patricia Cross
John Malkovich
Donald McHenry
William S. Sadler
Charles De Garmo
Chen Chi-kwan
Jimmy Dore
Sandra Steingraber
Stephen Alfred Forbes
Richard Roeper
Cloris Leachman
#10
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale , IL
#5 Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2023 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2023
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
45%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1055/23
What is Southern Illinois University Carbondale known for?

Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Anthropology
Nursing
Philosophy
Engineering
Medical
Communications
Mathematics
Earth Sciences
Literature
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Ravi Batra
Joseph Nechvatal
Loren Coleman
Stuart Vyse
Joan Higginbotham
Charles R. Johnson
Fred Basolo
Jim Bittermann
Sami Al-Arian
Donald McHenry
Walt Frazier
Joe Hung
#11
Roosevelt University
Chicago , IL
#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois 2023
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
40%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/22
What is Roosevelt University known for?

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

Economics
Political Science
Criminal Justice
Education
Social Work
Business
Psychology
History
Sociology
Philosophy

Most Influential Alumni

James Forman
Charles V. Hamilton
Carla Hayden
Warren W. Wiersbe
Morris H. DeGroot
Harold Washington
Donald Jacobs
Jean Fagan Yellin
Darlene Clark Hine
Donal Henahan
Coramae Richey Mann
David Applebaum
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
#12
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville , IL
#6 Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2023 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2023
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
52%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/24
What is Southern Illinois University Edwardsville known for?

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Nursing
Anthropology
Medical
Sociology
Engineering
Physics
Communications
Mathematics
Education
Computer Science

Most Influential Alumni

Shelby Steele
Dewayne Staats
Daniel A. Vallero
Kola Tubosun
Kathleen Madigan
Bill Plaschke
Gary Schroen
Stephnie Weir
Antonio J. Ramos
David C. Williams
Paige St. John
Ed Hightower
#13
Benedictine University
Lisle , IL
#4 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023 #6 Best Small Colleges in Illinois 2023
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:

Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Physics
Business
Psychology
Medical
Education
Political Science
Economics
History

Most Influential Alumni

Thomas Appelquist
Rhett Allain
Bill Callahan
Thomas R. Allen
Carrie Johnson
Andrew Pataki
Daniel L. Ryan
Jim Ryan
James Patrick Hickey
Michael Dudick
Thomas Dolinay
Emil John Mihalik
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
#14
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:

Social Work
Nursing
Mathematics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Business
Medical
Education
History
Engineering

Most Influential Alumni

Zheng Yonghui
Tom Weisner
Karl Andree
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
#15
Trinity International University
Deerfield , IL
#25 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2023 #9 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
45%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1005/23
What is Trinity International University known for?

Trinity International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Religious Studies
Philosophy
Education
Literature
Social Work
History
Criminal Justice
Psychology
Communications
Medical

Most Influential Alumni

Bill Hybels
Francis J. Beckwith
Randall Balmer
Douglas J. Moo
Danny Yamashiro
Paul Copan
Brian Hagedorn
Ross Clifford
John E. Sanders
John Senyonyi
Joel D. Heck
Lincoln Hurst
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
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:

Psychology
Sociology
Social Work
Business
Education
Medical
Political Science
Computer Science
Communications

Most Influential Alumni

Neva Boyd
Andrew Clements
Greg Baxtrom
Mike Feinberg
Kathleen Mazzarella
Sue Sinclair
Jean B. Bingham
Edwin Eisendrath
Jake Braun
Mary Traffarn Whitney
LaVon Mercer
Dawn Marie Sass
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
#17
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:

Nursing
Social Work
Medical
Psychology
History
Communications
Business
Criminal Justice
Economics
Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

Steve Parris
Mike Feminis
Nikki Woods
Jon Debus
Edith Emerald Johns
Natalie Manley
Howard Bayless
Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant
Mike Wessel
Pat McGuire
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

Find the Best Research Universities in Illinois for Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

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.

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

Best Research Universities in Illinois 2023

10 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2022

Colleges and Universities in Illinois

What are Illinois’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Research Universities in Illinois 2022

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University of Illinois Chicago’s Online Degrees

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Loyola University Chicago’s Online Degrees

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DePaul University’s Online Degrees

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Roosevelt University’s Online Degrees

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Benedictine University’s Online Degrees

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Aurora University’s Online Degrees

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Trinity International University’s Online Degrees

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National Louis University’s Online Degrees

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University of St. Francis’s Online Degrees

Find the Best Research Universities in Illinois for Your Area of Interest