Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Illinois by Acceptance Rate 2026
University of Chicago leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 4.5%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Illinois colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $12,329
- Top earnings 10y
- $91,885
- Public / Private
- 6 / 18
University of Chicago
A- Acceptance
- 4.5%
- Net price
- $14,860
- Earnings 10y
- $91,885
- Acceptance
- 4.5%
Northwestern University
B- Acceptance
- 7.7%
- Net price
- $29,167
- Earnings 10y
- $89,363
- Acceptance
- 7.7%
Methodist College
D- Acceptance
- 38.9%
- Net price
- $41,787
- Earnings 10y
- $69,800
- Acceptance
- 38.9%
Illinois Wesleyan University
C- Acceptance
- 39.3%
- Net price
- $28,199
- Earnings 10y
- $70,871
- Acceptance
- 39.3%
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
A- Acceptance
- 42.4%
- Net price
- $14,355
- Earnings 10y
- $81,054
- Acceptance
- 42.4%
Chicago State University
B- Acceptance
- 43.3%
- Net price
- $12,335
- Earnings 10y
- $42,778
- Acceptance
- 43.3%
Judson University
B- Acceptance
- 47.6%
- Net price
- $18,558
- Earnings 10y
- $56,313
- Acceptance
- 47.6%
Governors State University
A- Acceptance
- 48.3%
- Net price
- $12,329
- Earnings 10y
- $58,169
- Acceptance
- 48.3%
Quincy University
C- Acceptance
- 50.9%
- Net price
- $20,359
- Earnings 10y
- $50,369
- Acceptance
- 50.9%
Illinois Institute of Technology
A- Acceptance
- 54.9%
- Net price
- $18,425
- Earnings 10y
- $82,592
- Acceptance
- 54.9%
Olivet Nazarene University
C- Acceptance
- 55.9%
- Net price
- $20,729
- Earnings 10y
- $53,213
- Acceptance
- 55.9%
Lake Forest College
D- Acceptance
- 56.8%
- Net price
- $28,673
- Earnings 10y
- $61,825
- Acceptance
- 56.8%
Hebrew Theological College
D- Acceptance
- 57.1%
- Net price
- $26,861
- Earnings 10y
- $33,291
- Acceptance
- 57.1%
Augustana College
C- Acceptance
- 62.7%
- Net price
- $22,736
- Earnings 10y
- $62,971
- Acceptance
- 62.7%
Blackburn College
C- Acceptance
- 63.2%
- Net price
- $18,460
- Earnings 10y
- $46,802
- Acceptance
- 63.2%
University of St Francis
A- Acceptance
- 65.3%
- Net price
- $13,006
- Earnings 10y
- $63,926
- Acceptance
- 65.3%
Eastern Illinois University
B- Acceptance
- 65.4%
- Net price
- $12,786
- Earnings 10y
- $51,989
- Acceptance
- 65.4%
Millikin University
C- Acceptance
- 66.7%
- Net price
- $21,989
- Earnings 10y
- $51,262
- Acceptance
- 66.7%
North Park University
B- Acceptance
- 68.5%
- Net price
- $16,948
- Earnings 10y
- $59,572
- Acceptance
- 68.5%
Northern Illinois University
A- Acceptance
- 69.8%
- Net price
- $13,391
- Earnings 10y
- $57,808
- Acceptance
- 69.8%
Fox College
B- Acceptance
- 70.2%
- Net price
- $13,109
- Earnings 10y
- $41,539
- Acceptance
- 70.2%
Knox College
C- Acceptance
- 70.8%
- Net price
- $24,595
- Earnings 10y
- $54,820
- Acceptance
- 70.8%
Western Illinois University
B- Acceptance
- 71.2%
- Net price
- $12,937
- Earnings 10y
- $54,163
- Acceptance
- 71.2%
Lewis University
B- Acceptance
- 71.3%
- Net price
- $17,028
- Earnings 10y
- $66,099
- Acceptance
- 71.3%
McKendree University
C- Acceptance
- 71.7%
- Net price
- $24,717
- Earnings 10y
- $58,572
- Acceptance
- 71.7%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Illinois colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 8.35 (6 public, 18 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
University of Chicago in Chicago, IL tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 4.5%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Illinois colleges are in this list?
57 Illinois colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.