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Best Colleges and Universities in Chicago, IL

The best colleges in Chicago, IL include University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, and University of Illinois Chicago, based on EDsmart's 2026 rankings of 19 local colleges and universities. Compare cost, graduation rates, and career outcomes below to find a fit.

Key Facts

Colleges and Universities in Chicago, IL at a Glance

19 Colleges & Universities
86,398 Total Undergrad Enrollment
$18,499 Median Net Price (city)
52.6% Median Graduation Rate
$62,900 Median Earnings
3 public, 16 private nonprofit By Type

Top 5 Colleges in Chicago, IL

Rank School Grade Overall Rank
#1 University of Chicago A+ #8
#2 Illinois Institute of Technology A #114
#3 University of Illinois Chicago A- #195
#4 Rush University A- #262
#5 Saint Xavier University A- #265

Quick Stats for Colleges in Chicago, IL

Top 5 colleges in each category. Click a school for its full profile.

Most Affordable Colleges in Chicago, IL

  1. Chicago State University$7,273
  2. Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago$8,494
  3. Northeastern Illinois University$9,377
  4. University of Illinois Chicago$9,540
  5. Saint Xavier University$10,171

Colleges in Chicago, IL with Highest Graduation Rates

  1. University of Chicago95.0%
  2. Loyola University Chicago72.1%
  3. Illinois Institute of Technology71.0%
  4. School of the Art Institute of Chicago67.9%
  5. DePaul University67.2%

Colleges in Chicago, IL with Highest Graduate Earnings

  1. University of Chicago$102,231
  2. Illinois Institute of Technology$94,603
  3. Rush University$80,546
  4. The Chicago School at Chicago$79,929
  5. Loyola University Chicago$76,633

Best Colleges in Chicago, IL by Category

Best for Affordability Chicago State University $7,273
Best for Graduation Rate University of Chicago 95.0%
Best for Career Outcomes University of Chicago $102,231
Best for Student Support University of Chicago 99.3%

19 Best Colleges in Chicago, IL

All 19 schools below are sorted by overall EDsmart rank. Click a school for its full profile.

A+

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL
#8
Completion A+
Affordability B-
Support A+
Career A
University of Chicago is a private nonprofit institution with a mid-sized student body and a strong 95% graduation rate. Graduates report median earnings of $102,231 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of A+ and ranks #8 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price $16,776
Grad Rate 95.0%
Median Earnings $102,231
Retention Rate 99.3%
Student-Faculty 5.0:1
Acceptance Rate 4.5%
Tuition $73,962
Enrollment 7,569
View Full Profile →
A

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL
#114
Completion A-
Affordability B-
Support B+
Career A-
Illinois Institute of Technology is a private nonprofit institution with a mid-sized student body and a strong 71% graduation rate. Graduates report median earnings of $94,603 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of A and ranks #114 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price $22,443
Grad Rate 71.0%
Median Earnings $94,603
Retention Rate 86.0%
Student-Faculty 14.0:1
Acceptance Rate 54.9%
Tuition $53,398
Enrollment 2,833
View Full Profile →
A-

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL
#195
Completion B+
Affordability A-
Support B-
Career B+
University of Illinois Chicago is a public institution with a large, diverse student population with a 61% graduation rate. Graduates report median earnings of $73,404 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of A- and ranks #195 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price $9,540
Grad Rate 61.5%
Median Earnings $73,404
Retention Rate 80.2%
Student-Faculty 17.0:1
Acceptance Rate 77.3%
Tuition $14,652
Enrollment 22,170
View Full Profile →
A-

Rush University

Chicago, IL
#262
Completion B
Affordability B
Support B+
Career A
Rush University is a private nonprofit institution with a small, intimate campus. Graduates report median earnings of $80,546 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of A- and ranks #262 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price N/A
Grad Rate N/A
Median Earnings $80,546
Retention Rate N/A
Student-Faculty 10.0:1
Acceptance Rate N/A
Tuition N/A
Enrollment 138
View Full Profile →
A-

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL
#265
Completion B
Affordability A
Support B-
Career B+
Saint Xavier University is a private nonprofit institution with a mid-sized student body with a 55% graduation rate. Graduates report median earnings of $68,635 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of A- and ranks #265 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price $10,171
Grad Rate 54.8%
Median Earnings $68,635
Retention Rate 75.7%
Student-Faculty 16.0:1
Acceptance Rate 84.3%
Tuition $39,080
Enrollment 3,096
View Full Profile →
B+

DePaul University

Chicago, IL
#517
Completion A-
Affordability C+
Support B
Career B+
DePaul University is a private nonprofit institution with a large, diverse student population with a 67% graduation rate. Graduates report median earnings of $74,276 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of B+ and ranks #517 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price $27,108
Grad Rate 67.2%
Median Earnings $74,276
Retention Rate 85.5%
Student-Faculty 17.0:1
Acceptance Rate 75.9%
Tuition $47,676
Enrollment 14,090
View Full Profile →
B+

VanderCook College of Music

Chicago, IL
#555
Completion B-
Affordability B-
Support A-
Career B
VanderCook College of Music is a private nonprofit institution with a small, intimate campus. Graduates report median earnings of $55,431 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of B+ and ranks #555 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price $21,556
Grad Rate 26.7%
Median Earnings $55,431
Retention Rate 88.2%
Student-Faculty 5.0:1
Acceptance Rate 89.5%
Tuition $31,840
Enrollment 76
View Full Profile →
B+

Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago

Chicago, IL
#597
Completion C+
Affordability A-
Support B+
Career B
Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago is a private nonprofit institution with a small, intimate campus with a 53% graduation rate. It earns an overall grade of B+ and ranks #597 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price $8,494
Grad Rate 52.6%
Median Earnings N/A
Retention Rate 88.9%
Student-Faculty 15.0:1
Acceptance Rate 100.0%
Tuition $16,000
Enrollment 78
View Full Profile →
B

The Chicago School at Chicago

Chicago, IL
#702
Completion B
Affordability B
Support B-
Career B+
The Chicago School at Chicago is a private nonprofit institution with a small, intimate campus. Graduates report median earnings of $79,929 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of B and ranks #702 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price N/A
Grad Rate N/A
Median Earnings $79,929
Retention Rate N/A
Student-Faculty 17.0:1
Acceptance Rate 34.5%
Tuition N/A
Enrollment 21
View Full Profile →
B

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL
#703
Completion A-
Affordability C-
Support B+
Career B+
Loyola University Chicago is a private nonprofit institution with a large, diverse student population and a strong 72% graduation rate. Graduates report median earnings of $76,633 five years after graduation. It earns an overall grade of B and ranks #703 overall in EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Net Price $36,340
Grad Rate 72.1%
Median Earnings $76,633
Retention Rate 81.7%
Student-Faculty 13.0:1
Acceptance Rate 81.6%
Tuition $56,060
Enrollment 11,737
View Full Profile →

How We Rank Colleges in Chicago, IL

EDsmart's 2026 model weights four pillars equally—Completion, Affordability, Support, and Career Outcomes—using U.S. Department of Education metrics. Letter grades and the 0-100 EDsmart Score are cohort-relative (each school vs. the full ranked pool), not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education (2025–26 institution data, October 15, 2026 release). Learn more about our methodology →

Citation: EDsmart rankings (methodology); school data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colleges are in Chicago, IL?

Chicago, IL has 19 colleges and universities in this EDsmart ranking, including University of Chicago.

How many colleges are in Chicago, IL?

Chicago, IL has 19 colleges and universities in this EDsmart ranking.

What is the best college in Chicago, IL?

The top-ranked college in Chicago, IL in our 2026 rankings is University of Chicago.

What are the best universities in Chicago, IL?

The best universities in Chicago, IL are led by University of Chicago. Use the ranked list on this page to compare tuition, acceptance rates, graduation rates, and earnings.

How does EDsmart rank colleges?

EDsmart ranks colleges on four pillars—completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes—using standardized federal data. Grades and scores are cohort-relative to all ranked schools (including the 0-100 EDsmart Score index). See our full methodology.

Where does the data come from?

School data comes from the U.S. Department of Education. EDsmart applies its own ranking methodology to produce grades and ranks.

How to Choose the Right College in Chicago, IL

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you'll make. For students considering Chicago, IL, there are 19 colleges and universities to choose from, each offering unique programs, campus cultures, and career outcomes. Learn how EDsmart ranks colleges by completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes.

What to Look for in Colleges in Chicago, IL

When evaluating colleges in Chicago, IL, consider these key factors:

Types of Colleges and Universities in Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL offers a diverse range of higher education options:

Comparing Colleges and Universities in Chicago, IL

Students often compare schools in Chicago, IL on graduation rate, net price after aid, acceptance rate, and median earnings after graduation. The ranked list above shows all 19 local options on the same EDsmart scale so you can weigh affordability against outcomes.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Colleges in Chicago, IL

Many colleges in Chicago, IL offer financial aid packages that can significantly reduce the cost of attendance. Be sure to:

Next Steps for Choosing a College in Chicago, IL

Once you've reviewed our rankings of colleges in Chicago, IL:

Remember: The best college for you depends on your academic interests, career goals, financial situation, and personal preferences. Use our rankings methodology as a starting point, then dive deeper into the schools that interest you most. Each college in Chicago, IL offers unique opportunities—find the one that aligns with your goals.

Schools Near Chicago, IL

Top-ranked colleges and universities in nearby cities in IL.

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL
ZIP 60208
Rank #41 Grade A Net Price $34,420 Grad Rate 96.1%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL
ZIP 61820
Rank #51 Grade A Net Price $13,042 Grad Rate 86.3%

Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford, IL
ZIP 61114
Rank #95 Grade A Net Price N/A Grad Rate 100.0%

Bradley University

Peoria, IL
ZIP 61625
Rank #131 Grade A Net Price $22,469 Grad Rate 73.5%

Nearby Cities

Colleges and universities in other cities in IL.