Best colleges in the Chicago area
Colleges within 50 miles of Chicago, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges in the Chicago area21 schools
21 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Campus within 50 miles of the center of Chicago (straight-line distance from the school’s coordinates).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Illinois
- Net price $14,860 a year
- 96% graduate
- 2
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $29,167 a year
- 95% graduate
- 3
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#4 in Illinois
- Net price $26,975 a year
- 85% graduate
- 4
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL · Private nonprofit#5 in Illinois
- Net price $28,673 a year
- 78% graduate
- 5
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 7% for earnings
- Net price $18,425 a year
- 75% graduate
- 6
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 13% for earnings
- Net price $36,079 a year
- 73% graduate
- 7
DePaul University
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 16% for earnings
- Net price $30,902 a year
- 68% graduate
- 8
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL · PublicTop 16% for earnings
- Net price $10,974 a year
- 62% graduate
- 9
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL · Private nonprofitTop 21% for earnings
- Net price $13,006 a year
- 67% graduate
- 10
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL · Private nonprofitTop 21% for graduation
- Net price $24,185 a year
- 70% graduate
- 11
VanderCook College of Music
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit#16 in Illinois
- Net price $19,780 a year
- 67% graduate
- 12
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Net price $18,578 a year
- 70% graduate
- 13
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL · Private nonprofitTop 18% for earnings
- Net price $17,028 a year
- 67% graduate
- 14
North Central College
Naperville, IL · Private nonprofit#18 in Illinois
- Net price $21,044 a year
- 64% graduate
- 15
Hebrew Theological College
Skokie, IL · Private nonprofitTop 17% for low debt
- Net price $26,861 a year
- 50% graduate
- 16
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL · Private nonprofit#21 in Illinois
- Net price $19,125 a year
- 58% graduate
- 17
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Net price $49,790 a year
- 67% graduate
- 18Tie
- 18Tie
- 20
Herzing University-Kenosha
Kenosha, WI · Private nonprofitTop 17% for graduation
- Net price $23,066 a year
- 72% graduate
- 21
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 18% for low net price
- Net price $10,970 a year
- 57% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | $14,860 | $15,000 | $91,885 | 96% |
| Northwestern University | $29,167 | $15,000 | $89,363 | 95% |
| Wheaton College | $26,975 | $23,250 | $63,756 | 85% |
| Lake Forest College | $28,673 | $26,158 | $61,825 | 78% |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | $18,425 | $25,000 | $82,592 | 75% |
| Loyola University Chicago | $36,079 | $24,157 | $71,530 | 73% |
| DePaul University | $30,902 | $23,168 | $68,751 | 68% |
| University of Illinois Chicago | $10,974 | $16,704 | $68,740 | 62% |
| University of St. Francis | $13,006 | $21,079 | $63,926 | 67% |
| Elmhurst University | $24,185 | $20,489 | $61,462 | 70% |
| VanderCook College of Music | $19,780 | $27,000 | $47,863 | 67% |
| Valparaiso University | $18,578 | $26,942 | $63,191 | 70% |
| Lewis University | $17,028 | $21,500 | $66,099 | 67% |
| North Central College | $21,044 | $24,500 | $60,123 | 64% |
| Hebrew Theological College | $26,861 | $14,000 | $33,291 | 50% |
| Trinity Christian College | $19,125 | $25,009 | $55,700 | 58% |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | $49,790 | $27,000 | $40,151 | 67% |
| Aurora University | $18,838 | $20,318 | $58,709 | 60% |
| Judson University | $18,558 | $25,000 | $56,313 | 60% |
| Herzing University-Kenosha | $23,066 | $21,500 | $36,909 | 72% |
| Saint Xavier University | $10,970 | $22,223 | $58,656 | 57% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.