Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Illinois
- 50
- Schools
- $56,989
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,571
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,567
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $35,274 at the low end to $91,885 at the top. That 2.6× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Carl Sandburg College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $35,274 against $3,662 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Northwestern University graduates 96% of its students, well above the 57% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Carl Sandburg College: graduates owe only 0.14× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Carl Sandburg College ($3,662/yr) and Loyola University Chicago ($36,079/yr) produce graduates earning $35,274 and $71,530 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $32,417 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Carl Sandburg College outperforms University of Chicago: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Northwestern University graduates 96% of its students versus 18% at Northeastern Illinois University. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Carl Sandburg College and Northwestern University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 $56K 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 ▲ +61% vs avg | $14,860 | 95% | 83 |
| 2 Northwestern University #2 overall | $89,363 ▲ +57% vs avg | $29,167 | 96% | 80 |
| 3 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville #3 overall | $56,346 ▼ -1% vs avg | $14,889 | 56% | 73 |
| $82,592 ▲ +45% vs avg | $18,425 | 74% | 72 | |
| $62,117 ▲ +9% vs avg | $19,398 | 65% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Illinois
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $56,989 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $17,571.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Carl Sandburg College — Net Price: $3,662 | Graduation Rate: 45%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Northwestern University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Chicago — Median alumni earnings: $91,885
Data Insight
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?
$56,007
Median earnings (10yr)
57%
Median graduation rate
$18,362
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Illinois serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $56,007 ten years after enrollment, or about $8,007 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 57%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $18,362 a year with about $22,249 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 36% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.5%.
For Illinois, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $18,362 and graduates earning a median of $56,007, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
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 83/100 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, 61% 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 80/100 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, 57% 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
Edwardsville, IL · 98% accepted · $14,889 net
Why it ranks #3
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville lands at #3 with a 73/100 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, 1% 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 #4
Illinois Institute of Technology lands at #4 with a 72/100 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, 45% 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 #5
Illinois State University lands at #5 with a 71/100 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, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,398 a year, above 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 #6
Lewis University lands at #6 with a 70/100 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, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,028 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
Dominican University lands at #7 with a 69/100 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Eastern Illinois University lands at #8 with a 69/100 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, 9% 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
North Park University lands at #9 with a 69/100 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, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,948 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 #10
Northern Illinois University lands at #10 with a 69/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Champaign, IL · 42% accepted · $14,355 net
Why it ranks #11
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign lands at #11 with a 69/100 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, 42% 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
Why it ranks #12
North Central College lands at #12 with a 68/100 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, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,044 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 #13
Lake Forest College lands at #13 with a 68/100 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, 8% 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 #14
Aurora University lands at #14 with a 68/100 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, 3% 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 #15
Bradley University lands at #15 with a 68/100 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, 17% 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 #16
Western Illinois University lands at #16 with a 68/100 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, 5% 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 #17
Illinois Wesleyan University lands at #17 with a 68/100 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, 24% 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 #18
DePaul University lands at #18 with a 67/100 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, 21% 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 #19
Elmhurst University lands at #19 with a 67/100 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, 8% 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 #20
Carl Sandburg College lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,274 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,662 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 #21
Kishwaukee College lands at #21 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $39,657 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,574 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 #22
Trinity Christian College lands at #22 with a 67/100 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, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,125 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 #23
Saint Xavier University lands at #23 with a 67/100 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, 3% 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 #24
Loyola University Chicago lands at #24 with a 66/100 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, 26% 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 #25
Benedictine University lands at #25 with a 66/100 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, 11% 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 #26
Northeastern Illinois University lands at #26 with a 66/100 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, 8% 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 #27
University of Illinois Chicago lands at #27 with a 66/100 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, 21% 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 #28
Knox College lands at #28 with a 66/100 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, 4% 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 #29
Waubonsee Community College lands at #29 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,788 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,442 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 #30
Judson University lands at #30 with a 66/100 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, 1% 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 #31
Rock Valley College lands at #31 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $39,158 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,242 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 #32
Morton College lands at #32 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,406 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,191 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
Monmouth College lands at #33 with a 66/100 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, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,133 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
John Wood Community College lands at #34 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,631 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,050 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 #35
Illinois College lands at #35 with a 66/100 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, 8% 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 #36
Greenville University lands at #36 with a 66/100 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, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,533 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 #37
Olivet Nazarene University lands at #37 with a 65/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,729 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
Eureka College lands at #38 with a 65/100 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, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,349 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
McKendree University lands at #39 with a 65/100 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, 3% 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 #40
Rockford University lands at #40 with a 65/100 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, 4% 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 #41
Roosevelt University lands at #41 with a 65/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,194 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 #42
Millikin University lands at #42 with a 65/100 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, 10% 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 #43
Parkland College lands at #43 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,320 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,048 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 #44
Blackburn College lands at #44 with a 65/100 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, 18% 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 #45
Quincy University lands at #45 with a 64/100 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, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,359 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
University of St Francis lands at #46 with a 63/100 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, 12% 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 #47
University of Illinois Springfield lands at #47 with a 62/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Columbia College Chicago lands at #48 with a 61/100 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, 26% 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 #49
Moody Bible Institute lands at #49 with a 60/100 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, 20% 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
Carbondale, IL · 87% accepted · $13,297 net
Why it ranks #50
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale lands at #50 with a 60/100 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, 6% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college in Illinois can feel overwhelming, especially with strong options like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. These schools represent some of the best higher education opportunities in the state, with graduation rates and earning potential that stand out in a competitive landscape.
What sets these institutions apart is not just their academic reputation but also the outcomes that matter most to students and families. We're looking at metrics such as graduation rates, average earnings after graduation, student debt, and mobility. Understanding these factors can help you assess which school may be the best fit for your goals and financial situation.
For example, the University of Chicago boasts impressive earnings of $91,885, along with a graduation rate of 95%. In contrast, the University of Illinois Chicago, while still a solid choice, has an average earning of $68,740 and a graduation rate of only 61%. This difference highlights the trade-offs you may encounter when weighing options, making it crucial to consider what aspects are most important for your future.
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 45 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Illinois Institute of Technology leads the group at 3.6%, with Northeastern Illinois University (3.2%) and Roosevelt University (3.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 7.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Morton College leads at 19.6%, 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 25.8% 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 1.58 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
Higher earnings and graduation rates can often indicate a school's performance. For instance, the University of Chicago not only has the highest average earnings at $91,885 but also an impressive graduation rate of 95%. In comparison, the University of Illinois Chicago shows lower earnings at $68,740 and a graduation rate of only 61%. This pattern suggests that while both schools offer valuable education, the outcomes can vary significantly.
As you sift through the list of 50 colleges, consider how these metrics align with your personal priorities. Think about your preferred location, program specifics, campus culture, and financial circumstances. For example, a lower net price might make a school like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign more appealing despite its lower earnings compared to the University of Chicago. Weigh these factors against the data to find the right balance for your situation.
This data underscores the critical connection between higher education and a stable financial future. A degree can significantly impact your earning potential and career trajectory. For many families, this decision can shape not just individual futures but also the financial well-being of the whole family. Choosing wisely today is about ensuring those paths remain open tomorrow.
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 Colleges in Illinois: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Illinois ranking? +
University of Chicago in Chicago, IL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges 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 $56,989 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, Carl Sandburg College leads: graduates earn a median $35,274 against net price of about $3,662 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 57% 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 $17,571 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Carl Sandburg College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,662. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges 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
Related Rankings
