# Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Illinois (2026)

> The 15 Illinois colleges with the highest acceptance rates, with graduation rate and net price for each. Verified IPEDS and College Scorecard data.

- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/blog/easiest-colleges-to-get-into-in-illinois
- Category: Admissions Advice
- Author: CollegesRef Editorial
- Published: 2026-11-03
- Updated: 2026-11-04
- Data guide: figures are built only from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data.

The Illinois colleges with the highest acceptance rates are DeVry University-Illinois, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and Roosevelt University. Most of Illinois's qualifying colleges are private (21 of 32), and the list reflects that, with 11 private schools among the 15 most accessible. Graduation rates hold fairly steady across the list (median 55%) regardless of how open admission is, and average net price is shown for every school.

## Illinois colleges with the highest acceptance rates

| # | College | City | Acceptance rate | Graduation rate | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [DeVry University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/devry-university-illinois-806) | Naperville | 98% | 40% | $35,665 |
| 2 | [Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville](https://www.collegesref.com/college/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville-2496) | Edwardsville | 98% | 56% | $13,111 |
| 3 | [Roosevelt University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/roosevelt-university-2263) | Chicago | 97% | 34% | $21,512 |
| 4 | [National Louis University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/national-louis-university-1823) | Chicago | 95% | 32% | $10,364 |
| 5 | [Columbia College Chicago](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-college-chicago-651) | Chicago | 89% | 47% | $36,529 |
| 6 | [Illinois State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/illinois-state-university-1264) | Normal | 88% | 67% | $17,829 |
| 7 | [Southern Illinois University-Carbondale](https://www.collegesref.com/college/southern-illinois-university-carbondale-2495) | Carbondale | 87% | 59% | $12,554 |
| 8 | [Wheaton College-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wheaton-college-illinois-3253) | Wheaton | 86% | 88% | — |
| 9 | [University of Illinois at Springfield](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-illinois-at-springfield-2926) | Springfield | 86% | 53% | $7,528 |
| 10 | [Saint Xavier University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/saint-xavier-university-2323) | Chicago | 84% | 55% | $10,171 |
| 11 | [Chamberlain University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/chamberlain-university-illinois-496) | Addison | 83% | 35% | $38,263 |
| 12 | [Loyola University Chicago](https://www.collegesref.com/college/loyola-university-chicago-1551) | Chicago | 82% | 72% | $36,340 |
| 13 | [Dominican University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dominican-university-illinois-827) | River Forest | 81% | 52% | — |
| 14 | [Aurora University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/aurora-university-150) | Aurora | 81% | 61% | $19,385 |
| 15 | [School of the Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.collegesref.com/college/school-of-the-art-institute-of-chicago-2384) | Chicago | 77% | 68% | $53,331 |

## Illinois charges nonresidents less extra than most states and has higher sticker prices

32 Illinois colleges enroll at least 2,000 students and report both an acceptance rate and a graduation rate: 11 public colleges, 19 private nonprofit, and 2 for-profit. The nonresident tuition premium at public colleges is a median $2,607, smaller than the $12,411 typical nationwide. Before aid, the full cost of attendance has a median of $44,978, above the $31,674 nationally. Only 34% are public, against 58% nationwide, so private campuses shape most of this market.

| Measure | Illinois | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Median acceptance rate | 77% | 78% |
| Colleges admitting 90% or more | 13% | 21% |
| Public share of colleges | 34% | 58% |
| In-state tuition at publics (median) | $13,792 | $10,574 |
| Out-of-state tuition at publics (median) | $17,261 | $22,276 |
| Nonresident tuition premium (median) | $2,607 | $12,411 |
| Average net price after grants (median) | $18,607 | $18,210 |
| Cost of attendance before aid (median) | $44,978 | $31,674 |
| Six-year graduation rate (median) | 59% | 61% |
| Earnings ten years after entry (median) | $64,330 | $63,391 |
| Undergraduates with Pell Grants (median) | 42% | 34% |

Among the 15 colleges in the table, six-year graduation rates run from 32% at National Louis University to 88% at Wheaton College-Illinois, a wide spread of 56 percentage points. Their median of 55% trails the 59% for all Illinois colleges in scope, so the easiest admits here are not the strongest finishers.

On admission, private colleges are the more open sector here, admitting a median 77% against 75% at publics. The largest public options that admit at least 75% of applicants are [University of Illinois at Chicago](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-illinois-at-chicago-2925) (about 22,170 students, 77% admitted), [Illinois State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/illinois-state-university-1264) (about 19,057 students, 88% admitted), and [Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville](https://www.collegesref.com/college/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville-2496) (about 8,750 students, 98% admitted).

## Key takeaways

- Selectivity varies widely even within this list: DeVry University-Illinois admits 98% while School of the Art Institute of Chicago admits 77%, a gap of 21 percentage points. The last school admits fewer applicants than the 78% national median.
- DeVry University-Illinois is both first on the list and its largest campus, with about 27,825 students.
- Chicago is the hub of this list, home to 6 of the 15 schools.
- Private schools hold 11 of the 15 spots, in line with their dominance of the state pool.
- 2 for-profit institutions appear on the list: DeVry University-Illinois and Chamberlain University-Illinois.

## Where Illinois's high-admit private colleges sit on cost

Four years of average net price, a rough total for a student who receives grants and finishes on time, comes to about $30,112 at University of Illinois at Springfield, $77,540 at the median school on this list, and $213,324 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago; with a list median graduation rate of 55%, it is worth pricing a fifth year at the schools with weaker completion. A dependent student can borrow at most $27,000 in federal Direct Loans over four years ([studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized)); at DeVry University-Illinois that leaves about $115,660 of the four-year net price to cover another way, nearly as much again as the federal limit, and no school in the table comes in under that ceiling, so every option here needs savings, work, or other borrowing on top of federal loans.

| College | Four years at avg. net price | Four years of in-state tuition | Four years of out-of-state tuition | Pell Grant recipients | Median earnings (10 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [DeVry University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/devry-university-illinois-806) | $142,660 | $63,968 | $63,968 | 75% | $51,716 |
| [Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville](https://www.collegesref.com/college/southern-illinois-university-edwardsville-2496) | $52,444 | $53,196 | $53,196 | 37% | $59,436 |
| [Roosevelt University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/roosevelt-university-2263) | $86,048 | $92,616 | $92,616 | 56% | $56,800 |
| [National Louis University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/national-louis-university-1823) | $41,456 | $52,080 | $52,080 | 59% | $52,883 |
| [Columbia College Chicago](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-college-chicago-651) | $146,116 | $149,376 | $149,376 | 51% | $48,427 |

DeVry University-Illinois has the largest share of Pell Grant recipients in the table (75% of undergraduates), so its average net price already reflects many lower-income students; the maximum Pell Grant for 2026-27 is $7,395 ([studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell)). Without grants, four years of tuition alone comes to $50,560 at University of Illinois at Springfield and $232,880 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, before housing, food, and books; private sticker prices are where grants change the picture most, so run each school's net price calculator before assuming a family gets nothing. Nonresidents pay a median of $11,111 more a year in tuition at the public schools in the table; only 4 public schools in the table are affected, and the widest gap is at Illinois State University, where four years of out-of-state tuition costs $48,264 more than Illinois residents pay. Set against earnings, University of Illinois at Springfield stands out: its former students' median earnings of $64,479 ten years after entry are 2.1 times its four-year net price.

## Public tuition gaps and private pricing at Illinois's accessible colleges

Illinois public universities on this list offer a distinct financial advantage for out-of-state applicants compared to public campuses in other states. According to CollegesRef data, the median nonresident tuition premium at public colleges nationwide is $12,411. In Illinois, that median premium is only $2,607, meaning out-of-state students face a much smaller penalty for crossing state lines.

At the same time, in-state students in Illinois pay more than their peers nationally. The median in-state tuition at public colleges in Illinois is $13,792, which sits above the national median of $10,574. Conversely, the median out-of-state tuition at Illinois public universities is $17,261, significantly lower than the national median of $22,276. This unusual pricing structure compresses the gap between resident and nonresident costs.

### How Illinois public campuses price nonresident tuition

The four public universities on this list handle out-of-state pricing in two very different ways. Two campuses charge nonresidents the exact same rate they charge Illinois residents. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville charges $13,299 for both in-state and out-of-state tuition. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale also charges a single rate of $13,544 to all domestic undergraduates regardless of their home state. For an out-of-state applicant, these two campuses represent some of the most accessible public options in the country because they completely eliminate the nonresident surcharge.

The other two public universities on the list maintain traditional residency surcharges, though their rates still vary. University of Illinois at Springfield charges Illinois residents $12,640 in tuition, while out-of-state students pay $22,795. This creates a nonresident premium of $10,155 per year. Illinois State University has the widest gap on the list. It charges in-state students $16,152 and out-of-state students $28,218, resulting in a nonresident premium of $12,066 annually. Out-of-state applicants targeting Illinois State University must prepare to pay nearly double the tuition of their in-state classmates.

### The private college tuition alternative

The remaining 11 colleges on the list of 15 are private institutions or do not report both residency rates. Private colleges charge every student the same tuition regardless of where their permanent address is located. For an out-of-state student, a private university with a high acceptance rate can sometimes cost less than a public university that charges a steep nonresident premium.

An out-of-state applicant comparing Illinois State University to a private option should look closely at how financial aid packages offset these sticker prices. While Illinois State University charges out-of-state students $28,218 in tuition alone, private campuses use institutional grants to discount their higher sticker prices. Families must compare the final net price rather than the published tuition rate.

For Illinois residents, the public universities remain highly competitive on price even with the higher-than-average in-state median of $13,792. An in-state student at University of Illinois at Springfield pays $12,640 in tuition, which is difficult for most private colleges to match without significant merit or need-based aid. Residents should use the net price calculators at private schools like Roosevelt University or Saint Xavier University to see if institutional discounting brings the actual cost down to the level of the state public options.

## Sticker price versus net price at accessible Illinois campuses

The sticker price of a college often bears little resemblance to what a family actually pays. In Illinois, the median cost of attendance before aid is $44,978, according to CollegesRef data. This is significantly higher than the national median of $31,674. Despite this high starting point, grant aid brings the median average net price in Illinois down to $18,607, which is very close to the national median of $18,210. For families building an application list, these figures show that generous financial aid packages frequently offset the high initial sticker prices of Illinois institutions.

### How grants reduce the cost of attendance

The gap between the published cost of attendance and the average net price shows the impact of institutional, state, and federal grants. At Loyola University Chicago, the total cost of attendance before aid is $70,688, but the average net price drops to $36,340 after grants are applied. This represents a reduction of more than $34,000. Similarly, Saint Xavier University has a sticker price of $44,271, yet its average net price is $10,171. This means grants shave over $34,000 off the bill for the average student receiving aid.

These dramatic reductions are not limited to private liberal arts colleges. At the University of Illinois at Springfield, a public institution, the cost of attendance before aid is $24,774. Grants reduce the average net price to $7,528, making it one of the most affordable options on the list.

### Evaluating the remaining out-of-pocket balance

Even with substantial grant aid, several highly accessible Illinois colleges still leave students with a large annual balance. School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a high cost of attendance of $80,950, and even after grants, the average net price remains $53,331. Columbia College Chicago presents a similar pattern, where a $58,050 cost of attendance is reduced to an average net price of $36,529. At Aurora University, the cost of attendance is $42,013, and the average net price is $19,385.

Families must look closely at how these remaining balances will be funded. When grants do not cover the full cost, students must rely on federal loans, work-study, savings, or private borrowing. For a dependent undergraduate, the federal Direct Loan limit of $5,500 in the first year will not cover the remaining balance at most of these schools. For example, at Columbia College Chicago, the $36,529 average net price leaves a gap of over $31,000 after the maximum first-year student loan is applied.

### Balancing admission chances with long-term debt

When applying to highly accessible colleges, applicants must weigh the ease of admission against the financial commitment. Getting accepted is only the first step. Finishing the degree without accumulating unmanageable debt is the ultimate goal. An applicant should use the net price calculator on each college's financial aid website to get an estimate based on their family's financial profile. This step is crucial before submitting applications, especially for high-cost private institutions like the School of the Art Institute of Chicago or Loyola University Chicago. Comparing these net estimates allows families to build a balanced list of safety schools that are both academically and financially realistic.

## Public options among Illinois's most accessible universities

Public universities make up 34% of the colleges in Illinois, compared to a 58% public share nationwide. Despite this smaller footprint, four public institutions rank among the fifteen easiest colleges to get into in Illinois. These campuses provide broad access, admitting at least 80% of applicants, while offering the lower in-state tuition rates typical of state-run systems.

An applicant looking at these four schools will find that their sizes, admission rates, and graduation rates vary. Evaluating these differences helps families align their academic preparation with their likelihood of finishing a degree.

### Comparing size and completion rates at state campuses

The largest public university on the list is Illinois State University, which enrolls about 19,057 students. It admits 88% of applicants and has a 67% graduation rate, the highest completion rate among the public options on this list. This rate sits well above the 55% median graduation rate for the fifteen easiest colleges in the state.

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is the second-largest public campus on the list, enrolling about 8,750 students. It has an acceptance rate of 98%, making it tied with DeVry University-Illinois as the most accessible school in the state. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville graduates 56% of its students, which is just above the fifteen-school median.

Further south, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale enrolls about 8,494 students. It admits 87% of applicants and reports a 59% graduation rate. This graduation rate matches the overall median for all thirty-two Illinois colleges in scope.

The smallest public option on the list is the University of Illinois at Springfield, which enrolls about 2,263 students. It accepts 86% of applicants. Its graduation rate is 53%, the lowest among the four public campuses on the list, though it still sits within two percentage points of the fifteen-school median.

### What these public metrics mean for your college list

When building an application list, families often look to public universities as reliable safety or target schools. The high acceptance rates at these four institutions mean that academic admission is highly likely for most qualified applicants. A student can use these campuses to secure a solid option early in the admissions cycle.

Admission is only the first step, so families must look closely at the graduation rates. A high acceptance rate does not guarantee a smooth path to graduation. The 14 percentage point gap between the graduation rate at Illinois State University (67%) and the University of Illinois at Springfield (53%) shows that support systems and student outcomes differ.

A student who needs structured academic advising or robust campus resources should weigh these graduation rates heavily. Choosing a school with a higher graduation rate, like Illinois State University, may increase the likelihood of finishing a degree on time. Conversely, a student considering the University of Illinois at Springfield should ask the admissions office about specific retention programs and major-specific advising.

These four public universities offer a clear path to admission for Illinois residents and out-of-state applicants alike. By comparing the size of the student body and the six-year graduation rate, families can select a public option that matches both the student's academic needs and their budget.

## Graduation rates vary widely among Illinois's most accessible colleges

An open admissions policy does not guarantee a clear path to a degree. While the median graduation rate for the fifteen listed Illinois colleges is 55%, the actual outcomes at individual campuses diverge by dozens of percentage points. This median also lags behind both the overall Illinois median graduation rate of 59% and the nationwide median of 61%. For families building a balanced application list, these differences highlight why admission chances must be weighed alongside completion data.

### High-performing outliers on the accessible list

Several institutions in Illinois manage to combine high acceptance rates with strong graduation outcomes. Wheaton College-Illinois leads the list with an 88% graduation rate while admitting 86% of its applicants. Loyola University Chicago also shows strong student outcomes, graduating 72% of its student body and maintaining an 82% acceptance rate. Similarly, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago reports a 68% graduation rate alongside a 77% acceptance rate.

These institutions demonstrate that a college can remain highly accessible to applicants without sacrificing student persistence. When a student looks at these campuses, the high acceptance rate reflects a broad entry gate, but institutional resources, student support systems, or student preparation levels help ensure that the vast majority of those who enroll actually finish.

### Where completion rates fall behind

At the other end of the spectrum, several accessible Illinois colleges struggle to graduate even half of their entering classes. National Louis University has a 32% graduation rate despite admitting 95% of applicants. Roosevelt University admits 97% of applicants but graduates only 34% of its students. Chamberlain University-Illinois, which focuses heavily on nursing programs, admits 83% of applicants but has a graduation rate of just 35%.

The gap between initial enrollment and final graduation is particularly stark when looking at first-year retention. At Chamberlain University-Illinois, 73% of students return for their second year, yet only 35% ultimately graduate. This drop-off suggests that while students survive the initial transition to college, barriers arise later in their academic careers that prevent them from finishing.

### What completion data means for your college list

A low graduation rate represents a financial risk for families. Students who leave college without a credential still carry the debt they accumulated while enrolled, but they do not gain the earnings premium of a college graduate. When an applicant evaluates a school like National Louis University or Roosevelt University, they must ask what specific academic, financial, or personal hurdles cause so many students to leave before completing their degrees.

Conversely, choosing a school with a high graduation rate, such as Wheaton College-Illinois or Loyola University Chicago, means entering an environment where peer groups and campus structures are highly aligned toward completion. While these schools may have higher initial costs, the investment is backed by a much higher statistical probability of obtaining a degree within six years. An applicant should use these graduation figures to balance their list, ensuring they do not mistake an easy acceptance letter for an easy path to graduation.

## Pell Grant distribution and net price realities at accessible Illinois campuses

Illinois colleges enroll a larger share of students from lower-income families than the national average. CollegesRef data shows the median share of undergraduates receiving federal Pell Grants in Illinois is 42%, compared to 34% nationwide. This high concentration of Pell Grant recipients means that the financial aid offices at these campuses are highly experienced in processing federal and state need-based aid. However, a high percentage of Pell enrollment does not automatically translate to a low out-of-pocket cost for the student. Families must look closely at the relationship between Pell Grant enrollment and the actual average net price at each specific institution.

### Comparing high-Pell enrollment to actual student costs

The share of students receiving Pell Grants varies significantly among the most accessible colleges in the state, and the resulting net prices reveal stark differences in institutional discounting. DeVry University-Illinois has the largest share of Pell Grant recipients on the list, with 75% of its undergraduates receiving the federal grant. Despite this high concentration of high-need students, DeVry University-Illinois maintains a high average net price of $35,665. This indicates that even after federal grants are applied, students at this institution face substantial out-of-pocket costs or must secure significant student loans to cover the remaining balance.

In contrast, other highly accessible Illinois institutions with large Pell populations manage to keep their average net prices much lower. Saint Xavier University enrolls a student body where 66% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, yet its average net price is $10,171. National Louis University also serves a high-need population, with 59% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants, and reports an average net price of $10,364. Dominican University-Illinois also shows a strong commitment to lower-income students, with 58% of its undergraduate student body receiving Pell Grants. These variations show that some private institutions in Illinois use their own institutional aid funds to heavily discount tuition for lower-income students, while others rely more on student borrowing to bridge the gap.

### Navigating the aid gap with federal loan limits

For students planning their financing, relying solely on federal student loans to cover the net price at high-cost, high-acceptance schools is rarely feasible. According to studentaid.gov, the maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2026-27 award year is $7,395. This leaves a first-year funding gap of $22,770 that the student's family must cover through personal savings, private loans, or parent borrowing.

Even at more affordable options like Saint Xavier University, where the average net price is $10,171, a first-year dependent student borrowing the maximum $5,500 federal Direct Loan will still need to find $4,671 to cover the remaining net price. Because dependent undergraduates are capped at a maximum of $27,000 in federal Direct Loans over four years, families must carefully calculate the multi-year funding gap before committing to an enrollment deposit. Comparing the Pell Grant percentage against the average net price helps families identify which Illinois colleges offer the most supportive aid packages relative to their actual resources.

## Chicago transit hubs and regional campuses shape student commute options

The geographic distribution of Illinois's most accessible colleges splits the state into two distinct zones. A student looking at this list will find a heavy concentration of campuses in northeast Illinois, while the remaining schools require travel downstate. The 15 institutions on the list span 10 cities, which means travel times, housing costs, and transit options will vary wildly depending on the chosen campus. Families must look closely at how these locations dictate daily life, especially if a student plans to live at home to save money.

### The Chicago cluster and suburban rail connections

Six of the 15 schools on the list are located directly in Chicago. This group includes Roosevelt University, National Louis University, Columbia College Chicago, Saint Xavier University, Loyola University Chicago, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. For an applicant choosing among these six institutions, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains and buses serve as the primary campus transit system. Roosevelt University, Columbia College Chicago, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago sit right in the downtown Loop, where multiple rail lines converge.

Living at home and commuting to these downtown campuses is highly feasible for students residing near Metra commuter rail lines. This approach eliminates the high cost of city rent, though families must budget for monthly transit passes. Saint Xavier University sits further south in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood, which presents a more residential, less transit-dense environment than the Loop schools. Loyola University Chicago sits on the North Side in Rogers Park, offering a distinct lakeside campus feel while remaining connected to the city center via the CTA Red Line.

Beyond the city limits, three schools occupy the surrounding suburbs. Chamberlain University-Illinois is located in Addison, Aurora University is in Aurora, and DeVry University-Illinois is based in Naperville. These suburban locations are highly car-dependent. A student commuting to Chamberlain University-Illinois in Addison or DeVry University-Illinois in Naperville will find that suburban arterial roads and interstate highways dictate their daily schedule. Parking fees and peak-hour traffic on Interstate 88 must be factored into the total cost of attendance at these campuses.

### Downstate residential campuses require major travel planning

The geographic dynamic changes entirely when looking at the public universities located downstate. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale require significant travel for families based in the Chicago metropolitan area. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is located just across the state line from St. Louis, Missouri, which is a five-hour drive from Chicago. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale sits even further south, deep in the state's southern region.

For a student enrolling at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, commuting from the northern part of the state is impossible. This geographic reality forces families to pay for on-campus residence halls or local off-campus apartments, which alters the financial calculation. While Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville offers a low average net price of $13,111, the cost of travel home during academic breaks will add up over four years. An applicant must weigh the benefit of lower tuition against the physical distance from their support network. Visiting these downstate campuses before enrolling requires a dedicated weekend trip, unlike the quick afternoon visits possible for the Chicago-area schools.

## Building a balanced Illinois application list from high-acceptance campuses

An applicant targeting the easiest colleges to get into in Illinois will find a list dominated by schools that function as likely admits. Every single one of the 15 institutions on this list has an acceptance rate of 77% or higher, which sits right around the Illinois median acceptance rate of 77% and the national median of 78%. Because all 15 schools admit at least three-quarters of their applicants, none of them fall into the traditional "possible" category of 50% to 74% admissions, and none qualify as "reach" schools with under 50% acceptance. A student can use these campuses to secure a solid foundation of safety options, but building a smart list requires looking past the high admission rates to examine graduation outcomes and net prices.

### Identifying the strongest value options among likely admits

When a student faces a list where admission is highly probable, the selection strategy must shift from "will I get in" to "will I graduate without excessive debt." Three public universities on this list stand out because they cost less than the list median net price while graduating a higher percentage of students than the list median. Illinois State University charges an average net price of $17,829 and graduates 67% of its students. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale features an average net price of $12,554 and a 59% graduation rate. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville rounds out this high-performing group with a $13,111 average net price and a 56% graduation rate.

These three institutions are public, meaning Illinois residents can take advantage of lower in-state tuition rates while securing a higher statistical probability of finishing their degrees. Choosing one of these schools as a primary safety option provides a much stronger financial and academic foundation than simply picking a school because it admits nearly everyone.

### Spotting the academic and financial risks on the list

A high acceptance rate can sometimes mask low completion rates that present a serious risk to an applicant's financial future. If a student enrolls at a school with low completion rates, they run a high risk of leaving with student debt but no degree to help pay it off. Three schools on this list graduate fewer than 40% of their students within six years. Roosevelt University has an acceptance rate of 97% but graduates only 34% of its students. National Louis University admits 95% of applicants but has a graduation rate of 32%. Chamberlain University-Illinois reports an 83% acceptance rate alongside a 35% graduation rate.

An applicant considering these schools must ask specific questions about academic support, advising, and retention programs during campus visits. If a student needs structured academic help to succeed, a campus where fewer than four out of ten students graduate may not provide the necessary environment.

Families should use these 15 schools to anchor the bottom of their application lists. A balanced list for an Illinois resident might include one or two of the highly accessible public options like Illinois State University or Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, combined with more selective in-state public or private universities to serve as reach and possible targets. By balancing admission probability with actual graduation data, an applicant can build a list that guarantees college access while protecting their financial future.

## How this list was built

The 15 colleges here have the highest acceptance rates out of 32 published Illinois institutions that enroll at least 2,000 students and report both an acceptance rate and a graduation rate. Another 30 Illinois colleges of that size are left out because at least one figure is missing. Figures are unadjusted IPEDS and College Scorecard values ([definitions](https://www.collegesref.com/methodology#definitions), [inclusion rules](https://www.collegesref.com/methodology#inclusion)). National figures apply the same rules to 760 colleges. Four-year totals are one year's figure times four, and aid limits are 2026-27 studentaid.gov amounts.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the easiest college to get into in Illinois?

DeVry University-Illinois, a private for-profit college, has the highest acceptance rate among Illinois colleges with at least 2,000 students, at 98%. Its 40% graduation rate, though, is below the list median of 55%.

### Is it easier to get into college in Illinois than in other states?

About the same. The Illinois median acceptance rate of 77% is within a couple of points of the national median of 78%.

### Do colleges with high acceptance rates in Illinois have low graduation rates?

Not in a consistent way. Graduation rates on the list have a median of 55% and do not rise or fall much with acceptance rate. The strongest graduation rate (88%) belongs to Wheaton College-Illinois, which sits in the lower half of the ranking at 8th.

### Are the easiest colleges in Illinois public or private?

Mostly private: only 4 of the 15 schools on this list are public. The most accessible school overall is private, DeVry University-Illinois (98%); the top public option is Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (98%).

## Keep researching

- [Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/state/illinois)
- [Most affordable colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/blog/most-affordable-colleges-in-illinois-by-net-price)
- [Net price gap by state](https://www.collegesref.com/data/net-price-gap-by-state)
- [How CollegesRef matches similar colleges](https://www.collegesref.com/methodology)

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid ([studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/))

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Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/blog/easiest-colleges-to-get-into-in-illinois. When citing a figure, include the data year stated next to it.