Colleges and Universities in Illinois

Find your perfect value college

ValueColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Higher Education in Your State:
ALAKAZARCACOCTDCDEFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

Looking for a college in Illinois? We’ve listed the Best of the Midwest! As you can see, education opportunities are plentiful in Illinois – between Public, Private and Online learning, students have many institutions to choose from.

Featured Programs

Public Colleges and Universities in Illinois

  • Chicago State University
  • Eastern Illinois University
  • Governors State University
  • Illinois State University
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
    • University of Illinois system
    • University of Illinois at Chicago
    • University of Illinois at Springfield
    • University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
    • Western Illinois University
    • Western Illinois University-Quad Cities

Community Colleges in Illinois

  • Black Hawk College
  • Carl Sandburg College 
  • City Colleges of Chicago 
  • Harold Washington College
  • Harry S Truman College
  • Kennedy–King College
  • Malcolm X College
  • Olive–Harvey College
  • Richard J. Daley College
  • Wilbur Wright College
  • College of DuPage 
  • College of Lake County 
  • Danville Area Community College 
  • East St. Louis Community College Center 
  • Metropolitan Community College 
  • State Community College of East Saint Louis 
  • Elgin Community College 
  • Harper College 
  • Heartland Community College 
  • Highland Community College 
  • Illinois Central College 
  • Illinois Eastern Community Colleges 
  • Frontier Community College
  • Lincoln Trail College
  • Olney Central College
  • Wabash Valley College
  • Illinois Valley Community College 
  • John A. Logan College 
  • John Wood Community College 
  • Joliet Junior College 
  • Kankakee Community College 
  • Kaskaskia College
  • Kishwaukee College 
  • Lake Land College 
  • Lewis and Clark Community College 
  • Lincoln Land Community College 
  • McHenry County College 
  • Moraine Valley Community College 
  • Morton College 
  • Oakton Community College 
  • Parkland College 
  • Prairie State College 
  • Rend Lake College
  • Richland Community College 
  • Rock Valley College 
  • Sauk Valley Community College 
  • Shawnee Community College 
  • South Suburban College 
  • Southeastern Illinois College 
  • Southwestern Illinois College 
  • Spoon River College 
  • Triton College 
  • Waubonsee Community College 

Private Colleges and Universities in Illinois

  • American Islamic College
  • Augustana College
  • Blackburn College
  • Columbia College Chicago
  • Elmhurst College
  • Eureka College
  • Illinois College
  • Knox College
  • Lake Forest College
  • Lakeview College of Nursing
  • Lincoln College (Illinois)
  • MacCormac College
  • MacMurray College
  • Monmouth College
  • Moody Bible Institute
  • North Central College
  • Principia College
  • Saint Anthony College of Nursing
  • Shimer College
  • Trinity Christian College
  • Trinity International University
  • VanderCook College of Music
  • Wheaton College
  • Aurora University
  • Benedictine University
  • Bradley University
  • The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  • University of Chicago
  • Concordia University Chicago
  • DePaul University
  • Dominican University
  • East–West University
  • Erikson Institute
  • Greenville University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Illinois Wesleyan University
  • Judson University
  • Lewis University
  • Lincoln Christian University
  • Lindenwood University-Belleville
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
  • McKendree University
  • Midwestern University
  • Millikin University
  • National Louis University
  • National University of Health Sciences
  • North Park University
  • Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • Northwestern University
  • Olivet Nazarene University
  • Quincy University
  • Robert Morris University
  • Rockford University
  • Roosevelt University
  • Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
  • Rush University
  • University of St. Francis
  • Saint Xavier University
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  • Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership
  • Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago
  • Trinity International University
  • American InterContinental University
  • Argosy University
  • Chamberlain College of Nursing

The Prairie State’s Higher Ed. Roots

In 1867, thanks to the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act signed by Abraham Lincoln, Illinois established their first state university on the prairie and established a long history of providing higher education for the working people. Since then state schools and private institutions have sprung up around the state to serve the needs of all types of learners. As cities like Chicago grew, soldiers returned from WW2 and other events molded the state over time, the educational networks have adapted to the times.

Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Most recently a vast array of private and public online options have become available to the busy modern student who needs to learn on the go! The University of Illinois alone offers 75 online degrees, certificates, and endorsement programs. Traditional college students may attend one of the big state schools, smaller state college campuses or one of the multitudes of community colleges scattered around the states. There are also several private school options in Illinois. One of the most well-known and surprisingly one of the most affordable is Northwestern University in Evanston. They provide $174,000,000 in financial aid annually to students thanks to successful alumni! Regardless of location or time constraints, there is an educational option for everyone in the Prairie State.


The Essential Guide to Online Education in the USA:

Related Rankings: 

Featured Programs


Aya Andrews

Editor-in-Chief

Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.

Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.

In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.

With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.

Find your perfect value college

ValueColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Enter a search word or phrase