25 Best Universities In Illinois For International Students 2025

Illinois is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 57 universities and colleges in Illinois, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 57 universities in Illinois, University of Chicago and Northwestern University are the top-performing schools in Illinois. This list covers both public and private institutions in Illinois.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Illinois. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Illinois.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Illinois?

Applying to the universities in Illinois involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Illinois to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Illinois?

Tuition fees at Illinois’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 9,390 USD to 74,800 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 5,520 USD to 86,900 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Illinois!

As we cover the best universities in Illinois for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Illinois for International Students

​The University of Chicago is among the top-performing private research university in the United States. It was established in 1890 to provide rigorous higher education and train students to engage in a broad range of activities and inquiries. The university is known to have one of the most advanced and innovative research efforts in the United States having a breakthrough in nuclear reaction and radiocarbon research. Moreover, it’s also home to the country’s largest university press-the University of Chicago Press.

Northwestern University was founded in 1851 in Evanston, Illinois with the intention of making education accessible to the people from the northwest. The university now has over 21,000 students enrolled in its three campuses, 5,500 of which come from different countries across the globe. International mobility is one of the key focus areas at the university, which is why it actively participates in exchange programs, collaborative research, and other international engagement activities.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign maintains its history of excellence by being one of the premier public research universities in the United States. It is an independent institution that focuses on the study of human and social sciences, arts, humanities, and social sciences. It welcomes more than 50,000 students from all around the world.

UIC, or the University of Illinois Chicago, is among the excellent research institutions in Chicago, Illinois. It is a welcoming university that is home to students who come from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Teachings and training at UIC are public service-oriented, with students becoming future professionals with a passion for serving the communities.

With four campuses, one institute, one school, and five colleges, the Illinois Institute of Technology focuses on providing up-to-date education in the fields of science and technology. Their teaching methods consist of different learning programs that include internships, leadership training, research opportunities, and mentorships. IIT’s campuses not only have quality education and research facilities but also innovative spaces like a Kaplan institute and a maker space. Besides science and technology, this university also offers training in other areas of knowledge, like Law and Humanities.

The Southern Illinois University Carbondale was established in 1869 and stands among the top 5% of research universities in the country. It is also known for winning national competitions in engineering and aviation. At present, the university offers over 200 courses and specializations for students from within and outside the state of Illinois. 

Northern Illinois University started as a teacher-training institution called Northern Illinois State Normal School. The university has expanded from a teacher’s college into a full-fledged university with campuses in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. Aside from that, NIU also has online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Comprised of seven colleges, the university offers a wide variety of courses.

Loyola University Chicago offers more than 200 programs to almost 17,000 students that come from all over the world. Although this is a Catholic university, it welcomes applicants from all faiths, so it has a diverse student body. Loyola has campuses all over Chicago but also has centers in Vietnam and Rome, which gives students the opportunity to spend a semester in another country. Besides its degree programs, the university offers a wide variety of enriching activities that include research projects, community volunteering, internships with local businesses, and mentorship activities for the youth.

Wheaton College is a private institution that enables students to excel in their career choices. It offers academically rigorous programs that will truly hone the students’ critical thinking and practical skills. The college continually aims to provide outstanding Christian higher education in the state.

DePaul University is distinct for being the largest renowned Catholic university founded by the Vincentians in Illinois. Instead of focusing on religion and related subjects, the institution offers a variety of opportunities for students, ranging from the sciences to theater. It has two campuses, one each in the Loop and Lincoln Park. These campuses welcome more than 20,000 students yearly.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a leading research institute in the state of Illinois. They offer comprehensive programs in areas such as engineering, business, and dental medicine. But aside from outstanding achievements in the academe, SIUE is also known for hosting various community outreach programs like science camps and oral health consultations.

Being the oldest university in the region, Illinois State University has already established an outstanding reputation. The university focuses on teaching programs and is one of the largest producers of teachers in the country. It seeks to maintain a diversified community of intellectual individuals committed to serving society.

With its main campus located in Illinois, DeVry University has over 30 campuses in 16 states of the US. It offers 41 bachelor’s degree programs and 19 master’s degree programs, with the option of studying either on-site, online, or hybrid by combining both learning methods. It also offers multiple opportunities for networking and collaborating, with over 50 student organizations and clubs and 12 online groups.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago was initially founded as the Chicago Academy of Design in its inception and was changed to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1882 after its merger with the Chicago Academy of Fine Art. The university is known to be the most influential art school and has the largest school-museum campus in the United States. It is also one of the largest accredited independent schools of art and design in the country, offering a complete higher education in a broad spectrum of studies.

Eastern Illinois University was primarily a teacher’s college. Throughout the years, it has improved and now offers various programs in business, arts, and humanities. The university ensures that its graduates will land better career opportunities, which is why it partners with numerous institutions and industry leaders.

Western Illinois University offers remarkable undergraduate and graduate education through international collaboration and opportunities. The university has strong partnerships with various industries, allowing students to boost their practical experiences. The university seeks to continue its innovative teaching and service in the coming years.

Bradley University is among the premier institutions in Illinois that offer a wide variety of different programs. These programs are designed to prepare students to become future professionals with a global outlook. Bradley is also home to a large number of student clubs and organizations that allow students to participate in different activities, such as out-of-town trips and volunteer projects for the community.

The University of Illinois at Springfield promotes diversity and inclusion. It also offers environmental initiatives to help build a sustainable future. The university has large facilities and buildings to motivate students in their educational journey.

Illinois Wesleyan University was founded by civic and religious leaders with a goal to establish an institution of “Collegiate grade”. Wesleyan was added to the name of the university after getting support from the United Methodist Church acting as a sponsor. The university still maintains its independent governance status, welcoming diversity and practicing inclusivity. 

Elmhurst University started as a theological seminary for young men and training grounds for teachers for parochial schools. Its main language of instruction then was German, and women enrolled only starting from 1930. The university officially became Elmhurst University in 2020 and has grown to offer over 70 undergraduate degrees and 20 master’s programs.

Roosevelt University was established in 1945 with the intention of fighting against discrimination and providing equal access to education regardless of race, gender, and religion. Up to this day, its deep tradition of social justice is still integrated into its wide range of academic programs and activities. Programs are also designed to provide students with real-life experiences for them to develop skills that are highly valued in today’s industries. 

Northeastern Illinois University was established in 1857 in Chicago, Illinois as a teacher’s college. In the 1970’s, the university started to offer courses in other areas such as art, business, and applied sciences. It now offers more than 70 study programs for undergraduate and graduate students  as well as study abroad programs in one of its more than 40 international partner universities.

Although Columbia College Chicago is described as an art school, it covers more than the usual art and design courses. Besides its creative and media art programs, it provides education and training in the liberal arts and business. The college aims to hone students’ problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity in all of these studies. Such is the quality of their education that their graduates have gone on to get jobs right after grad, win prestigious awards, produce works, record art, and contribute in many ways to art and society.

Midwestern University is a private institution that specializes in offering medical programs at the graduate and postgraduate levels. It currently operates on two campuses: one in Downers Grove, Illinois, and the other campus located in Glendale, Arizona. Moreover, the university is dedicated to educating medical professionals who would contribute to the local and international healthcare industry. It aims to help contribute to research in the community and provide top-class medical education to its students.

Augustana College’s history can be traced back to 1860, with Swedish settlers as its founding members. This liberal arts institution focuses on providing top-quality education at the undergraduate level. Its comprehensive programs are carefully selected and provide only the highest standards of teaching. In addition, the institution is known to be a residential campus, with first-year to junior students living on campus throughout their studies, while graduating students have the option to either live on campus or in the school’s neighboring area.