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10 Best Colleges for Jobs in Illinois for 2026
As college freshmen embark on their educational journeys, a primary concern remains the potential of their chosen institution to enhance job prospects. With the evolving job market and rising living costs in the United States, selecting the right college has never been more crucial.
Illinois offers distinct advantages for prospective students, featuring renowned research universities, high-quality state schools, and diverse majors that align well with current employment trends. This creates an optimal environment for students to prepare for successful careers.
Given the impressive array of colleges available in Illinois, we sought to identify which institutions are most effective at helping graduates secure employment. Utilizing data from IPEDS and College Scorecard, we compiled a list of the best colleges for jobs in Illinois.
The complete ranking is outlined below, showcasing the top ten colleges that stand out for their graduates’ job placement success:
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Augustana College
- Bradley University
- Eastern Illinois University
- Millikin University
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Illinois State University
- Illinois College
- Lewis University
- Western Illinois University
If you’re attending one of these esteemed institutions, you’re likely aware of the advantages they provide. For those exploring their options, let’s delve into the attributes that make these colleges some of the best in Illinois.
How We Determined the Best Schools in Illinois for Jobs
We analyzed data from the College Scorecard to identify the colleges in Illinois with the highest job placement rates, focusing on employment outcomes ten years post-graduation.
This analysis was restricted to 58 public and non-profit four-year institutions in Illinois that offer at least a bachelor’s degree. Each college was then ranked based on the percentage of graduates employed, with the final ratings rounded to two decimal places for clarity.
Illinois Wesleyan University topped our list, earning the title of ‘Best College for Jobs in Illinois’ due to its exceptional graduate employment rate.
Best Colleges for Getting a Job in Illinois
| Rank | College | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 95.45% |
| 2 | Augustana College | 95.33% |
| 3 | Bradley University | 93.79% |
| 4 | Eastern Illinois University | 93.52% |
| 5 | Millikin University | 93.19% |
| 6 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 93.14% |
| 7 | Illinois State University | 93.13% |
| 8 | Illinois College | 92.74% |
| 9 | Lewis University | 92.71% |
| 10 | Western Illinois University | 92.51% |
| 11 | Dominican University | 92.44% |
| 12 | Monmouth College | 92.34% |
| 13 | Quincy University | 92.14% |
| 14 | Northern Illinois University | 91.98% |
| 15 | MacMurray College | 91.89% |
| 16 | Northwestern University | 91.87% |
| 17 | Elmhurst College | 91.82% |
| 18 | Blackburn College | 91.62% |
| 19 | Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | 91.57% |
| 20 | University of St Francis | 91.49% |
| 21 | Greenville University | 91.3% |
| 22 | Aurora University | 91.3% |
| 23 | McKendree University | 91.2% |
| 24 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | 91.16% |
| 25 | North Central College | 91.15% |
| 26 | University of Illinois at Springfield | 90.97% |
| 27 | Rockford University | 90.94% |
| 28 | Lake Forest College | 90.65% |
| 29 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 90.58% |
| 30 | University of Illinois at Chicago | 90.5% |
| 31 | Loyola University Chicago | 90.21% |
| 32 | Saint Xavier University | 90.11% |
| 33 | University of Chicago | 89.57% |
| 34 | North Park University | 89.44% |
| 35 | Knox College | 88.83% |
| 36 | Olivet Nazarene University | 88.78% |
| 37 | Judson University | 88.67% |
| 38 | Lincoln College | 88.52% |
| 39 | DePaul University | 88.51% |
| 40 | Columbia College Chicago | 88.49% |
| 41 | Concordia University-Chicago | 88.38% |
| 42 | Trinity Christian College | 88.18% |
| 43 | Benedictine University | 87.22% |
| 44 | East-West University | 87.0% |
| 45 | Wheaton College | 86.93% |
| 46 | National Louis University | 86.42% |
| 47 | Robert Morris University Illinois | 86.3% |
| 48 | American Academy of Art | 86.18% |
| 49 | Roosevelt University | 86.13% |
| 50 | Chicago State University | 85.71% |
| 51 | Lincoln Christian University | 85.42% |
| 52 | Governors State University | 85.14% |
| 53 | Northeastern Illinois University | 84.68% |
| 54 | Trinity International University-Illinois | 83.69% |
| 55 | National University of Health Sciences | 83.67% |
| 56 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 82.12% |
| 57 | Saint Augustine College | 79.33% |
| 58 | Hebrew Theological College | 71.92% |
In conclusion, as you navigate your college options in Illinois, consider the institutions listed above. Their strong job placement rates reflect their commitment to preparing graduates for the modern workforce. Selecting a college known for successful employment outcomes can significantly enhance your career prospects and lead to a fulfilling professional life.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
