by Amber Hilton

Created on: March 23, 2010

When it comes to higher education, the state of Illinois has a lot to offer. Currently, there are at least 289 options for postsecondary education in Illinois, including 4-year state colleges and universities, private institutions, 2-year community colleges, vocational schools and career colleges. According to 2010 report published by “U.S. News and World Report,” the Prairie State also offers three schools that rank in the top 50 in the nation. Each year, this respected publication compiles a list of the top national universities, based on at least ten known criteria (currently including SAT/ACT percentile, class size, total enrollment and peer assessment). In 2010, five Illinois universities made the list, with three ranking in the top 50 and several others receiving an honorable mention. The following is more information about the best state colleges and universities in Illinois.

A guide to the best state colleges and universities in Illinois:

*University of Chicago: Ranked 8th in the nation, the University of Chicago is the highest ranked college in Illinois. This 4-year private university may not be run by the state, but it certainly deserves a mention as one of the best colleges and universities in Illinois. The University of Chicago serves roughly 14,788 students and offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in many areas of study.

*Northwestern University: Located in Evanston, Northwestern University is ranked 12th in the nation, making it the second best school in the state. Another 4-year private institution, Northwestern enrolls roughly 19,291 students. In addition to undergraduate and graduate degree programs, this reputable school also offers certificate programs for continued education.

*University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign: Coming in at number 39, the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign is the highest ranked public school in the state. This 4-year university serves a larger population of 43,246 students, more than one third of which are pursing graduate studies.

Coming in at 106th is the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois and at 119th is Loyola University Chicago. Other reputable Illinois schools that did not receive a ranking include DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois State University in Normal, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, University of Illinois in Chicago, Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and Trinity International University in Deerfield.

These are just some of the educational options that Illinois has to offer. More information about any of the best state colleges and universities in Illinois discussed above can be found on the individual school websites. A complete list of the best national colleges of 2010 can be found at the official webpage for “U.S. News and World Report.”

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