Four-Year Colleges and Universities in Illinois

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* Green "Yes, connect me!" buttons indicate a featured school

Augustana College (Rock Island, IL): Private Lutheran liberal arts college
Aurora University (Aurora, IL): Private comprehensive university
Benedictine University (Lisle, IL): Private Catholic liberal arts university
Blackburn College (Carlinville, IL): Private Presbyterian undergraduate liberal arts college
Blessing–Rieman College of Nursing (Quincy, IL): Private specialized health sciences college
Bradley University (Peoria, IL): Private comprehensive research university

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Chicago State University (Chicago, IL): Public liberal arts university
Columbia College Chicago (Chicago, IL): Private multipurpose college
Concordia University Chicago (River Forest, IL): Private Lutheran comprehensive liberal arts college
DePaul University (Chicago, IL): Private Catholic research university
Dominican University (River Forest, IL): Private Catholic comprehensive university
East–West University (Chicago, IL): Private specialized university with a focus in STEM
Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL): Public comprehensive university
Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, IL): Private Christian liberal arts university
Eureka College (Eureka, IL): Private Christian liberal arts and sciences college
Governors State University (University Park, IL): Public comprehensive university
Greenville University (Greenville, IL): Private Methodist liberal arts university
Hebrew Theological College (Skokie, IL): Private coeducational specialized Jewish studies college
Illinois College (Jacksonville, IL): Private Presbyterian liberal arts college
Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, IL): Private specialized technical research institution
Illinois State University (Normal, IL): Public research university
Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, IL): Private liberal arts university
Judson University (Elgin, IL): Private Baptist liberal arts university
Knox College (Galesburg, IL): Private liberal arts college
Lake Forest College (Lake Forest, IL): Private liberal arts college
Lakeview College of Nursing (Danville, IL): Private specialized nursing college
Lewis University (Romeoville, IL): Private Catholic comprehensive university

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Lincoln Christian University (Lincoln, IL): Private Christian specialized biblical university and seminary
Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL): Private Jesuit liberal arts and research university
McKendree University (Lebanon, IL): Private Methodist liberal arts university
Methodist College (Peoria, IL): Private specialized health sciences college
Millikin University (Decatur, IL): Private comprehensive university

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Monmouth College (Monmouth, IL): Private Presbyterian liberal arts and sciences college
Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, IL): Private Christian specialized biblical institution

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National Louis University (Chicago, IL): Private comprehensive university
North Central College (Naperville, IL): Private Methodist liberal arts and sciences college
North Park University (Chicago, IL): Private Evangelical liberal arts and sciences university

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Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago, IL): Public comprehensive university

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Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL): Public comprehensive university
Northwestern University (Evanston, IL): Private comprehensive university

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Oak Point University (Chicago, IL): Private specialized health sciences college
Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL): Private Christian liberal arts university
Principia College (Elsah, IL): Private Christian undergraduate liberal arts college
Quincy University (Quincy, IL): Private Christian liberal arts university
Rockford University (Rockford, IL): Private liberal arts university
Roosevelt University (Chicago, IL): Private comprehensive university
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (North Chicago, IL): Private specialized health sciences university
Rush University (Chicago, IL): Private specialized upper-division health sciences research university
Saint Xavier University (Chicago, IL): Private Catholic liberal arts university
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL): Private specialized fine arts school
Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL): Public comprehensive university
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL): Public comprehensive university
St. Anthony College of Nursing (Rockford, IL): Private specialized upper-division nursing college
St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing (Peoria, IL): Private specialized upper-division nursing college
The University of Chicago (Chicago, IL): Private research university

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Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, IL): Private Christian liberal arts college
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences (Rock Island, IL): Private specialized health sciences college
Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL): Private Evangelical liberal arts and divinity university
University of Illinois Chicago (Chicago, IL): Public research university
University of Illinois Springfield (Springfield, IL): Public comprehensive university

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University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (Champaign, IL): Public comprehensive university
University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL): Private Catholic liberal arts and sciences university
VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, IL): Private specialized music teaching college
Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL): Public comprehensive university
Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL): Private Evangelical liberal arts college

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About This List

Are you thinking about attending college in the Prairie State? You can check out all the four-year colleges and universities in Illinois right here.

Illinois offers students a diverse and enriching experience, blending rigorous academics with cultural and career opportunities. Chicago, the state’s largest city, provides students access to world-class museums, theaters, and live music as well as countless internship and networking opportunities in industries like finance, health care, technology, and media. Illinois’ smaller college towns, including Champaign-Urbana and Evanston, have vibrant, student-friendly atmospheres with plenty of dining, arts, and outdoor recreation. Whether exploring Lake Michigan or enjoying Chicago’s unique neighborhoods, students in Illinois can experience an exciting mix of city and suburban life. The state’s academic rigor, cultural richness, and career pathways make Illinois an exceptional choice for your college journey.

To explore even further, just click on any school name to access its CollegeXpress profile and learn more about admission policies, campus life, and more. You can also click the green “Yes, connect me!” buttons next to our featured colleges and universities to demonstrate your interest and send your info directly to schools, making your college search process even easier.

All schools are currently active and regionally accredited as of 2024. as of 2024.