Top Rated Illinois Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in Illinois for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in Illinois as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the best public college in Illinois is University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Illinois Public 4 year

11 results

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
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Champaign, IL

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in America

  • 56,563enrollment
  • $14,297net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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University of Illinois at Chicago
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Chicago, IL

University of Illinois at Chicago

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 33,522enrollment
  • $11,499net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Illinois at Springfield
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Springfield, IL

University of Illinois at Springfield

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 4,661enrollment
  • $9,241net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

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Northern Illinois University
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Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,504enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 11,359enrollment
  • $16,131net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Illinois State University
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Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,989enrollment
  • $20,871net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 12,045enrollment
  • $15,182net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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Western Illinois University
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Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 7,073enrollment
  • $12,168net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

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Eastern Illinois University
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Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 8,804enrollment
  • $14,621net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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Northeastern Illinois University
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Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,504enrollment
  • $14,669net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Chicago State University
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Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,324enrollment
  • $9,852net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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