The Best Illinois Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in Illinois for 2024

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in Illinois as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment under 3,000. Small colleges allow students a more intimate and personalized experience where it's more likely you will get to know your professors. Leading the list for 2024 is Illinois Wesleyan University. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Illinois small Public Private 4 year

15 results

Illinois Wesleyan University
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I
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $30,096net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1330SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

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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

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Knox College
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K
Galesburg, IL

Knox College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,058enrollment
  • $26,882net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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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

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Augustana College
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A
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,349enrollment
  • $24,660net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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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

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Millikin University
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M
Decatur, IL

Millikin University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,807enrollment
  • $10,492net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 930-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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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

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McKendree University
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M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,960enrollment
  • $22,431net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

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Trinity International University
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T
Deerfield, IL
 

Trinity International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,242enrollment
  • $16,703net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 925-1106SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

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Quincy University
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Q
Quincy, IL

Quincy University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,307enrollment
  • $11,985net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

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Greenville University
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G
Greenville, IL

Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,088enrollment
  • $20,718net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 809-1209SAT range
  • 15-28ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

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Illinois College
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I
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,029enrollment
  • $16,296net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 960-1126SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

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Rockford University
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R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $25,047net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 840-1086SAT range
  • 12-20ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Chicago State University
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C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,317enrollment
  • $6,446net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

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