Rankings / By State
Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois
- 12
- Schools
- $63,161
- Avg. Earnings
- 63%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,075
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,607
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 12 schools run from $41,625 to $89,363, a 2.1× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College delivers the most for the money: roughly $41,625 in median earnings against $6,375 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College is the lowest-cost school here at $6,375 a year in net price.
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Northwestern University graduates 96% of its students, versus a 63% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.16× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Illinois Institute of Technology ($82,592 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Northwestern University ($89,363), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College costs $6,375 a year and Northwestern University costs $29,167. Yet their graduates earn $41,625 and $89,363, nowhere near the $22,792 price gap.
- On value, City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College beats Northwestern University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
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 City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College 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
Engineering is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $60K within a decade, and mechanical engineer roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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 Illinois Institute of Technology #1 overall | $82,592 ▲ +31% vs avg | $18,425 | 74% | 87 |
| 2 Northwestern University #2 overall | $89,363 ▲ +41% vs avg | $29,167 | 96% | 86 |
| 3 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign #3 overall | $81,054 ▲ +28% vs avg | $14,355 | 85% | 79 |
| $56,346 ▼ -11% vs avg | $14,889 | 56% | 77 | |
| $66,852 ▲ +6% vs avg | $22,719 | 74% | 75 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois
This analysis ranks 12 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $63,161 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 63% and an average net price of $17,075.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College — Net Price: $6,375 | Graduation Rate: 32%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Northwestern University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Northwestern University — Median alumni earnings: $89,363
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Engineering Talent Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about America’s engineering talent pipeline?
$58,966
Median earnings (10yr)
61%
Median graduation rate
$16,657
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Engineering programs supply the people who build the physical economy: infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and the reshoring of advanced production. Earnings are high and unusually stable. ABET accreditation and licensure structure the field, and demand is being pulled forward by infrastructure spending and a wave of retirements.
The median graduation rate across these 12 schools is 61%. Median graduate earnings reach $58,966 ten years after enrollment, roughly $10,966 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $16,657 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $21,853. Some 33% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.7%.
What we’re seeing: ABET-accredited, co-op-heavy programs convert strong starting pay into durable careers, and reshoring keeps widening demand. Median earnings of $58,966 sit well above most fields. Engineering remains one of the most dependable returns in higher education.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Illinois Institute of Technology lands at #1 with a 87/100 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, 31% 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 #2
Northwestern University lands at #2 with a 86/100 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, 41% 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 79/100 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, 28% 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 77/100 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, 11% 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
Bradley University lands at #5 with a 75/100 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Northern Illinois University lands at #6 with a 72/100 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, 8% 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 #7
University of Illinois Chicago lands at #7 with a 71/100 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, 9% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
North Central College lands at #8 with a 70/100 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% below 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Olivet Nazarene University lands at #9 with a 68/100 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, 16% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Greenville University lands at #10 with a 68/100 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, 26% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Carbondale, IL · 87% accepted · $13,297 net
Why it ranks #11
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale lands at #11 with a 62/100 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, 15% 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 #12
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College lands at #12 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (42/100). Graduates earn a median $41,625 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,375 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 12 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Mechanical Engineers and related roles — a field with $99,510 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Mechanical Engineer career guide →Considering an engineering degree in Illinois? You have several strong options to choose from, all known for their focus on outcomes that matter. For many families, earning potential is a key factor, and the average earnings for engineering graduates in this state stand at $63,352.
What sets the top schools apart is not just their program offerings but their real-world outcomes. Factors like graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, net price, and student debt inform this ranking. The schools below have demonstrated strong performance in these areas, making them worthy of consideration for students looking to enter the engineering field.
Take the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, for example, which boasts an impressive $81,054 in earnings and an 85% graduation rate. In contrast, the University of Illinois Chicago has a lower average earning potential of $68,740 and a 61% graduation rate. This difference highlights the importance of not only choosing a program but also understanding how each school prepares its students for future success.
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 8 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.7%. Illinois Institute of Technology leads the group at 3.6%, with Northwestern University (1.7%) and Northern Illinois University (1.6%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville leads at 6.8%, 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 35.1% 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 1.69 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 shows a striking difference in outcomes between schools. Northwestern University has the highest graduation rate at 96%, which likely contributes to its higher average earnings of $89,363. In contrast, the University of Illinois Chicago, while more affordable with a net price of $10,974, has a graduation rate of only 61%, resulting in lower earnings for its graduates.
After reviewing the options, it's essential to consider what matters most to you and your family. Think about location, campus culture, and financial implications alongside these statistics. A school with a lower net price might seem appealing, but weigh that against potential earnings and graduation rates to ensure it aligns with your goals.
Ultimately, the stakes are high when it comes to choosing the right college. The path from college to a stable career can hinge on these decisions. For families, understanding these outcomes can guide them toward making a choice that not only fits their financial situation but also sets their student up for long-term success in the engineering field.
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 Engineering Colleges in Illinois: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois ranking? +
Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $82,592 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 74% 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? +
Northwestern University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $89,363 ten years after enrollment, well above the $63,161 average across the 12 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, City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College leads: graduates earn a median $41,625 against net price of about $6,375 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 63% 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 $17,075 a year across the 12 ranked schools with cost data. City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College is among the most affordable at roughly $6,375. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Engineering 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 12 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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