Top Rated Illinois Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in Illinois for 2025

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in Illinois. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the highest ranked private college in Illinois is University of Chicago. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


30 results

University of Chicago
C
Chicago, IL

University of Chicago

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Colleges in America

  • 18,339enrollment
  • $27,979net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1510-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.95Estimated Avg GPA

Northwestern University
N
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in America

  • 23,203enrollment
  • $23,341net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Wheaton College
W
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,799enrollment
  • $31,346net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1440SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Illinois Wesleyan University
I
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,576enrollment
  • $31,310net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

Bradley University
B
Peoria, IL

Bradley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,217enrollment
  • $24,703net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Loyola University Chicago
L
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 17,397enrollment
  • $37,592net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

DePaul University
D
Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 21,348enrollment
  • $32,129net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Illinois Institute of Technology
I
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 8,563enrollment
  • $25,001net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1410SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Lake Forest College
L
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,818enrollment
  • $29,894net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1365SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Knox College
K
Galesburg, IL

Knox College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,001enrollment
  • $25,524net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1385SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Augustana College
A
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,484enrollment
  • $24,695net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

North Central College
N
Naperville, IL

North Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,856enrollment
  • $24,190net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1065-1280SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

Elmhurst College
E
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,906enrollment
  • $22,760net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Lewis University
L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 6,636enrollment
  • $19,472net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Roosevelt University
R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 4,015enrollment
  • $21,503net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 820-1090SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
S
Chicago, IL

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,401enrollment
  • $55,485net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1048-1260SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

Benedictine University
B
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,989enrollment
  • $24,570net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

Olivet Nazarene University
O
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,275enrollment
  • $22,707net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA