The Best Chicago Private Colleges

Chicago, Illinois area Colleges

There are 8 ranked private colleges within the Chicago city limits and 22 private colleges within a 50 mile radius. Area colleges collectively enroll a total of 145,619 students. If you're looking for a large school, Northwestern University enrolls the most students with 5,918 currently taking classes. In terms of affordability, Aurora University offers the lowest tuition for private colleges in the Chicago area at $27,200 per year.

The top rated private college in the area is University of Chicago which is ranked #7 in the nation by CollegeSimply.

The Chicago area is home to popular nationally ranked private institutions like University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Wheaton College and Illinois Institute of Technology.
Chicago, IL within 50 miles Private 4 year 2 year

22 results

University of Chicago
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C
Chicago, IL

University of Chicago

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in America

  • 18,339enrollment
  • $36,991net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.95Estimated Avg GPA

5 miles from Chicago

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Northwestern University
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N
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 23,161enrollment
  • $22,095net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

15 miles from Chicago

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Wheaton College
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W
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,885enrollment
  • $29,961net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

21 miles from Chicago

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Illinois Institute of Technology
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I
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 6,943enrollment
  • $28,702net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

3 miles from Chicago

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Loyola University Chicago
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L
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 16,899enrollment
  • $37,511net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1370SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

11 miles from Chicago

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DePaul University
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D
Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 20,917enrollment
  • $32,151net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

6 miles from Chicago

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Lake Forest College
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L
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,753enrollment
  • $27,839net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1153-1340SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

30 miles from Chicago

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Valparaiso University
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V
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,958enrollment
  • $22,755net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

42 miles from Chicago

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University of St Francis
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S
Joliet, IL

University of St Francis

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,297enrollment
  • $18,560net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

30 miles from Chicago

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North Central College
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N
Naperville, IL

North Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,695enrollment
  • $25,285net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

24 miles from Chicago

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Lewis University
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L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 6,513enrollment
  • $19,184net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1200SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

26 miles from Chicago

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Elmhurst College
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E
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,731enrollment
  • $24,108net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

14 miles from Chicago

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School of the Art Institute of Chicago
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S
Chicago, IL

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,532enrollment
  • $53,923net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1260SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

4 miles from Chicago

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Roosevelt University
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R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,725enrollment
  • $22,117net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 16-26ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

4 miles from Chicago

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Dominican University
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D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $18,162net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

9 miles from Chicago

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Olivet Nazarene University
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O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,255enrollment
  • $20,059net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA

48 miles from Chicago

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Benedictine University
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B
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,123enrollment
  • $25,658net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

22 miles from Chicago

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North Park University
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N
Chicago, IL

North Park University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,660enrollment
  • $19,029net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1162SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

10 miles from Chicago

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