Illinois Schools Ranked Among 2021’s Best Colleges: U.S. News

ILLINOIS — As students and colleges across the nation grapple with the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, U.S. News & World Report on Monday remained steadfast with the release of its 2021 edition of Best U.S. Colleges, a list that includes several schools in Illinois.

Despite how the pandemic has forced current and potential students to alter college plans, U.S. News said in a news release that it must “continue providing students and their families with the tools they need to help find the right school for them.”

To rank colleges, U.S. News first placed each school into a category based on its mission and, in some cases, its geographical location in the United States. U.S. News then evaluated more than 1,400 colleges and universities on 17 indicators of academic quality. The colleges are ranked based on their overall scores.

The data used for this year’s rankings was gathered in spring and early summer 2020; however, the publication noted that the pandemic did not affect the numbers.

This year’s edition also includes several methodology updates. The new measures look at timely topics such as student debt, social mobility and test-blind admissions policies. U.S. News also added new weights and indicators to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and added a new ranking for computer science programs.

See more detailed methodologies and frequently asked questions about the rankings.

These Illinois colleges and universities were included in this year’s rankings:

National Universities

• University of Chicago, Chicago, Ranked 6
• Northwestern University, Evanston, Ranked 9
• University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Ranked 47
• Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Ranked 112
• University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, Ranked 112
• DePaul University, Chicago, Ranked 124
• Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Ranked 124
• Illinois State University, Normal, Ranked 206
• University of St. Francis, Joliet, Ranked 227
• Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Carbondale, Ranked 258
• Aurora University, Aurora, Ranked 298-389
• Benedictine University, Lisle, Ranked 298-389
• National Louis University, Chicago, Ranked 298-389
• Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Ranked 298-389
• Roosevelt University, Chicago, Ranked 298-389
• Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Ranked 298-389
• Trinity International University, Deerfield, Ranked 298-389

National Liberal Arts Colleges

• Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ranked 61
• Knox College, Galesburg, Ranked 72
• Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Ranked 80
• Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Ranked 84
• Principia College, Elsah, Ranked 93
• Augustana College, Rock Island, Ranked 96
• Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ranked 127
• Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ranked 140
• Blackburn College, Carlinville, Ranked 171-221
• East-West University, Chicago, Ranked 171-221

Regional Colleges Midwest

• Millikin University, Decatur, Ranked 12
• Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Ranked 21
• Quincy University, Quincy, Ranked 28
• Eureka College, Eureka, Ranked 33
• St. Augustine College, Chicago, Ranked 42
• Lincoln College, Lincoln, Ranked 58-76

Regional Universities Midwest

• Bradley University, Peoria Ranked 5
• Dominican University, River Forest, Ranked 10
• North Central College, Naperville, Ranked 10
• Elmhurst University, Elmhurst, Ranked 15
• Lewis University, Romeoville, Ranked 24
• University of Illinois-Springfield, Springfield, Ranked 31
• North Park University, Chicago, Ranked 39
• Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Ranked 51
• McKendree University, Lebanon, Ranked 51
• Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Ranked 60
• Saint Xavier University, Chicago, Ranked 60
• Western Illinois University, Macomb, Ranked 60
• Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ranked 74
• Judson University, Elgin, Ranked 80
• Greenville University, Greenville, Ranked 91
• Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Ranked 103
• Chicago State University, Chicago, Ranked 119-156
• DeVry University, Downers Grove, Ranked 119-156
• Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Ranked 119-156
• Rockford University, Rockford, Ranked 119-156
• Governors State University, University Park, Unranked

Princeton University is once again No. 1 among National Universities, and Williams College remains in the top spot among National Liberal Arts Colleges.

For Top Public Schools, the University of California — Los Angeles is No. 1 among National Universities. The United States Naval Academy ranks No. 1 for Top Public Schools among National Liberal Arts Colleges.

See all of 2021’s Best U.S. Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.