Colleges in Illinois

Colleges and universities in Illinois offer a wide range of educational settings—from the bustle of the Windy City to quiet rural and suburban areas. The Prairie State is home to 148 colleges and universities! Of these Illinois colleges, 60 are public and 85 are private. Illinois colleges come in all shapes and sizes; small Illinois colleges have less than 2000 students, medium Illinois colleges have 2000 to 5000 students, large Illinois colleges have 5000 to 10000 students, and Illinois colleges with greater than 10000 students are defined as very large. A number of these colleges also offer online degrees. Each Illinois college is unique, with strengths ranging from academics to extracurriculars to athletics. So if you’re interested in getting a strong Midwestern education, consider applying to a college or university in Illinois.

According to Jamie P., a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, “The best part of going to school in Illinois is the diversity. Illinois is predominantly rural, but Chicago is very accessible and a great place to hang out on weekends. The weather is never too hot or too cold, but is dynamic enough to keep it interesting. Illinois colleges are also world-renown. You can meet international students from China, France, and Australia on the same street.”

Now comes the hard part: choosing the Illinois college that’s right for you. Northwestern University in Evanston, IL is a large Illinois college with about 19,000 students. Evanston is a beautiful college town, full of unusual shops, fantastic restaurants and cultural events. Northwestern is known for its great pre-medical program, and is a member of the Big Ten. Notable alumni include Actor David Schwimmer, and Cindy Chupack, former executive producer of Sex and the City and former writer of Everybody Loves Raymond.

If you’re looking to enjoy a phenomenal education while being surrounded by a lively city atmosphere, The University of Chicago, located in the heart of the city, may be the school for you. Known for the out-of-the-ordinary essay questions on its application, the University of Chicago educates 15,000 of the countries most promising students each year. Notable alumni include actress Misha Collins (Class of ’97) of Supernatural.

If you’re interested in becoming an engineer, Illinois is definitely the place for you. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is home to one of the nation’s finest engineering programs. From biological to physics engineering, UIUC offers the latest in classroom and laboratory engineering experiences. Notable alumni include Ang Lee (Class of 1980), the Academy Award-winning director of Brokeback Mountain.

Beyond that, there’s Aurora University, Shimer College, Roosevelt University, and many, many more. We have all kinds of information about Illinois colleges compiled to help you choose the Illinois college that’s right for you. We have also listed the scholarships and grants offered by each school to help you pay for your Illinois education. So before you dive into the application process, take a few moments to browse our extensive list of Illinois colleges and universities, and let Cappex help you find your fit.