44 Best Private Universities in Illinois for International Students

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There are a lot of countries that offer various studies in both public and private institutions of higher education, but if you are interested in studying at a distinguished private university that offers more than just formal education, then Illinois is one of the states in United States that will allow you to do that. Furthermore, your time in Illinois will provide you with numerous opportunities to expand and grow on both a social and psychological level.

Private institutions are a great way to reach your academic goals and get that well-deserved degree. To help you out, check out the list below if you’re looking to study in a private university in Illinois. Each university page provides you with specific details on tuition, admission, language requirements, available courses, and more. So, make sure to check the university pages! Let’s dig in!

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Rank University Location
1 University of Chicago Chicago, United States
2 Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, United States
3 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, United States
4 DePaul University Chicago, United States
5 Wheaton College Wheaton, United States
6 DeVry University Naperville, United States
7 Bradley University Peoria, United States
8 School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, United States
9 Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, Illinois, United States
10 Midwestern University Downers Grove, United States
11 Elmhurst University Elmhurst, United States
12 Roosevelt University Chicago, United States
13 Columbia College Chicago Chicago, United States
14 North Central College Naperville, United States
15 Augustana College Rock Island, United States
16 Knox College Galesburg, United States
17 Lake Forest College Lake Forest, United States
18 Chamberlain University Downers Grove, United States
19 Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science North Chicago, United States
20 National Louis University Chicago, United States
21 Benedictine University Lisle, United States
22 Lewis University Romeoville, United States
23 Dominican University River Forest, United States
24 North Park University Chicago, United States
25 Illinois College Jacksonville, Illinois, United States
26 Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, United States
27 Millikin University Decatur, Illinois, United States
28 Trinity International University Lake County, United States
29 Aurora University Aurora, United States
30 University of St. Francis Joliet, United States
31 Saint Xavier University Chicago, United States
32 Rush University Chicago, United States
33 Moody Bible Institute Chicago, United States
34 National University of Health Sciences Chicago, United States
35 McKendree University Lebanon, United States
36 Greenville University Greenville, Illinois, United States
37 Concordia University Chicago River Forest, United States
38 Judson University Elgin, United States
39 Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, United States
40 Quincy University Quincy, United States
41 Adler University Chicago, United States
42 Eureka College Eureka, United States
43 Principia College Elsah, United States
44 The Chicago School Chicago, United States

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does Private Universities in Illinois Cost?

There are 44 private universities in Illinois, out of which, we have tuition fee of 44 private universities available.

The average tuition fee of private universities in Illinois for international bachelor’s students is 37,200 USD with ranging from 10,200 USD to 71,400 USD.

The average tuition fee of private universities in Illinois for international Master’s students is 11,000 USD with ranging from 5,040 USD to 51,200 USD.


As you plan your studies abroad, we hope that this article will help you in choosing a good private university.

We know that attending a private university can be expensive, given its benefits and added perks. But remember that public universities are always an option, too, as they're affordable and can provide you with the same high-quality education. With that, feel free to check out our list of public universities in Illinois to learn more about your options for your next academic destination.