Rankings / By State
Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
- 50
- Schools
- $58,779
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,772
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,865
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $40,151 to $91,885, a 2.3× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of Illinois Chicago delivers the most for the money: roughly $68,740 in median earnings against $10,974 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, University of Illinois Springfield ($9,833 net price), still posts $57,103 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Northwestern University graduates 96% of its students, versus a 59% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of Chicago carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.16× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- University of Illinois Springfield costs $9,833 a year and School of the Art Institute of Chicago costs $49,790. Yet their graduates earn $57,103 and $40,151, nowhere near the $39,957 price gap.
- On value, University of Illinois Chicago beats University of Chicago: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Northwestern University finishes 96% of students while Chicago State University finishes 16%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $58K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Chicago #1 overall | $91,885 ▲ +56% vs avg | $14,860 | 95% | 84 |
| 2 Northwestern University #2 overall | $89,363 ▲ +52% vs avg | $29,167 | 96% | 79 |
| 3 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign #3 overall | $81,054 ▲ +38% vs avg | $14,355 | 85% | 71 |
| $56,346 ▼ -4% vs avg | $14,889 | 56% | 70 | |
| $82,592 ▲ +41% vs avg | $18,425 | 74% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $58,779 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $19,772.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Illinois Chicago — Net Price: $10,974 | Graduation Rate: 61%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Northwestern University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Chicago — Median alumni earnings: $91,885
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Illinois Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Illinois?
$57,456
Median earnings (10yr)
59%
Median graduation rate
$18,698
Median net price
1.6%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Illinois, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 59%. Median graduate earnings reach $57,456 ten years after enrollment, roughly $9,456 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $18,698 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $23,250. Some 37% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.6%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Illinois pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $18,698 and median earnings of $57,456 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Chicago lands at #1 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $91,885 a decade after enrolling, 56% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,860 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Northwestern University lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $89,363 a decade after enrolling, 52% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,167 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Champaign, IL · 42% accepted · $14,355 net
Why it ranks #3
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign lands at #3 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,054 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,355 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Edwardsville, IL · 98% accepted · $14,889 net
Why it ranks #4
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville lands at #4 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,346 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,889 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Illinois Institute of Technology lands at #5 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $82,592 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,425 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Illinois State University lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $62,117 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,398 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Lewis University lands at #7 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $66,099 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,028 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Eastern Illinois University lands at #8 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $51,989 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,786 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Northern Illinois University lands at #9 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,808 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,391 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
North Park University lands at #10 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,572 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,948 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Illinois Chicago lands at #11 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (62/100). Graduates earn a median $68,740 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,974 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Dominican University lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $60,327 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,745 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
North Central College lands at #13 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $60,123 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,044 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Lake Forest College lands at #14 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $61,825 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,673 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Western Illinois University lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $54,163 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,937 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bradley University lands at #16 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $66,852 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,719 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Aurora University lands at #17 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,709 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,838 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Illinois Wesleyan University lands at #18 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $70,871 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,199 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Trinity Christian College lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $55,700 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,125 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Elmhurst University lands at #20 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $61,462 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,185 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
DePaul University lands at #21 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $68,751 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,902 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Saint Xavier University lands at #22 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,656 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,970 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Northeastern Illinois University lands at #23 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,234 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,109 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
University of St Francis lands at #24 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $63,926 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,006 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Knox College lands at #25 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $54,820 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,595 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Loyola University Chicago lands at #26 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $71,530 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,079 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Benedictine University lands at #27 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $63,446 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,313 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Monmouth College lands at #28 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $51,110 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,133 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
McKendree University lands at #29 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $58,572 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,717 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Greenville University lands at #30 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,827 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,533 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Illinois College lands at #31 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $52,575 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,298 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
University of Illinois Springfield lands at #32 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,103 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,833 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Judson University lands at #33 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $56,313 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,558 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Olivet Nazarene University lands at #34 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $53,213 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,729 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Millikin University lands at #35 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,262 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,989 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Eureka College lands at #36 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $51,641 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,349 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Rockford University lands at #37 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $54,794 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,436 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Blackburn College lands at #38 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $46,802 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,460 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Roosevelt University lands at #39 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $48,712 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,194 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Quincy University lands at #40 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $50,369 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,359 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Carbondale, IL · 87% accepted · $13,297 net
Why it ranks #41
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale lands at #41 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $53,390 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,297 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Augustana College lands at #42 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $62,971 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,736 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Wheaton College lands at #43 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $63,756 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,975 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Moody Bible Institute lands at #44 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,399 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,221 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Columbia College Chicago lands at #45 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,195 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,598 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Chicago State University lands at #46 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $42,778 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,335 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Concordia University-Chicago lands at #47 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $54,089 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,436 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Governors State University lands at #48 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,169 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,329 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
National Louis University lands at #49 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $45,799 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,641 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
School of the Art Institute of Chicago lands at #50 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (24/100). Graduates earn a median $40,151 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $49,790 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When it comes to choosing a bachelor's program in Illinois, a few standout schools rise above the rest. This list highlights 50 universities that not only offer a solid education but also deliver strong outcomes for their graduates. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions is around $59,372, illustrating the financial benefits of selecting the right program.
What sets the top schools apart is their performance in key areas that impact students' futures: earnings, graduation rates, mobility, and debt levels. For instance, you can see the graduation rates vary significantly among these institutions, with some exceeding 95%, while others hover around 60%. As you explore the list below, consider how each school's outcomes align with your own goals and priorities.
For example, the University of Chicago reports impressive earnings of $91,885 and a graduation rate of 95%, making it a top choice for those focused on high earning potential. In contrast, the University of Illinois at Chicago, while more affordable with a net price of $10,974, has a much lower graduation rate of 61% and earnings of $68,740. This juxtaposition highlights the trade-offs families need to weigh as they consider their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 40 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.6%. Chicago State University leads the group at 3.7%, with Illinois Institute of Technology (3.6%) and Northeastern Illinois University (3.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Chicago State University leads at 25.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 28.2% across this list. Illinois Institute of Technology posts the highest success rate at 60.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.66 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Northwestern University reaches 1.83, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
The data reveals a significant gap between the highest-performing schools and those that fall short. For instance, the University of Chicago leads with an average earning of $91,885, compared to the University of Illinois Chicago, which sits at $68,740. This difference of $23,145 in earnings underscores the potential long-term financial impact of selecting a school with strong outcomes.
As you consider these rankings, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing low debt levels, or are high graduation rates more important? For example, while the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a lower average net price of $14,355, it also has a graduation rate of 85%, compared to the University of Illinois Chicago's 61%. Aligning these metrics with your personal circumstances can guide your decision.
Ultimately, the choice of a college can shape the trajectory of a graduate's life. Families are navigating a complex landscape, balancing financial considerations with educational quality. As you evaluate these schools, remember that the right choice can lead to greater stability and opportunity in the future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois ranking? +
University of Chicago in Chicago, IL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $91,885 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 95% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Chicago posts the highest median earnings on this list: $91,885 ten years after enrollment, well above the $58,779 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Illinois Chicago leads: graduates earn a median $68,740 against net price of about $10,974 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Northwestern University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 59% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,772 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. University of Illinois Springfield is among the most affordable at roughly $9,833. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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