2026 Best Teaching Schools in Illinois
Looking for the best Teaching degree programs in Illinois? Our ranking highlights 240 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search analyzed 188 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Teaching Degree Schools in Illinois
Explore the leading schools below:
Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Teaching degree schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. The median Teaching program debt is $16,616. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Augustana College Illinois came in at #2 on this year's Teaching ranking in Illinois. Located in Rock Island, IL, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College Illinois posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. The median Teaching program debt is $26,764. More on Augustana College Illinois
The strong Teaching programs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #3 place in Illinois. Located in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,730. See the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale profile
Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #4 on this year's Teaching ranking in Illinois. Located in Bloomington, IL, Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $57,704 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $26,857. Get the full Illinois Wesleyan University report
The strong Teaching programs at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $20,778. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of St Francis came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Joliet, IL. University Of St Francis posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. University Of St Francis Teaching students take on a median of $25,695 in debt. Read more about University Of St Francis
Illinois State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $21,896. See the full Illinois State University profile
North Central College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Naperville, IL, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,699. Read the full report on North Central College
Bradley University placed #9 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Set in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,160. Bradley University Teaching students take on a median of $26,380 in debt. Read more about Bradley University
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #10 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Chicago
Trinity Christian College placed #11 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Based in Palos Heights, IL, Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity Christian College graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,605. Students borrow a median of $28,722 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Trinity Christian College report
Lewis University landed the #12 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Lewis University Teaching students take on a median of $24,838 in debt. Read the full report on Lewis University
Elmhurst College placed #13 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Located in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,400. Read more about Elmhurst College
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #14 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,797. Get the full Olivet Nazarene University report
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wheaton, IL. Wheaton College Illinois posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,292. See the full Wheaton College Illinois profile
Loyola University Chicago landed the #16 spot in Illinois this year. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Loyola University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Loyola University Chicago Teaching students take on a median of $23,521 in debt. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
Dominican University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school based in River Forest, IL. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,828. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,236. Read the full report on Dominican University
Aurora University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Aurora, IL, Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. The median Teaching program debt is $24,507. More on Aurora University
Concordia University Chicago placed #19 among Teaching schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Concordia University Chicago Teaching students take on a median of $26,956 in debt. More on Concordia University Chicago
Northern Illinois University landed the #20 spot in Illinois this year. Northern Illinois University is a public school based in Dekalb, IL. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Northern Illinois University profile
Eastern Illinois University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Eastern Illinois University is a public school based in Charleston, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Read the full report on Eastern Illinois University
Millikin University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Millikin University is a private not-for-profit school based in Decatur, IL. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $26,792. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,036. Read more about Millikin University
Roosevelt University placed #23 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Based in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Roosevelt University Teaching students take on a median of $23,879 in debt. More on Roosevelt University
Northeastern Illinois University placed #24 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Northeastern Illinois University posts a six-year graduation rate of 22%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Northeastern Illinois University Teaching students take on a median of $17,600 in debt. See the full Northeastern Illinois University profile
Depaul University placed #25 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. The median Teaching program debt is $25,310. Read more about Depaul University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Teaching Degree Schools in Illinois
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
National Louis University landed the #26 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Chicago, IL, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. National Louis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 30%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. National Louis University Teaching students take on a median of $29,242 in debt. Read the full report on National Louis University
Western Illinois University did well this year, earning the #27 position. This public school is set in Macomb, IL. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Western Illinois University Teaching students take on a median of $27,639 in debt. Get the full Western Illinois University report
Saint Xavier University placed #28 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Set in Chicago, IL, Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Saint Xavier University profile
Judson University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Elgin, IL, Judson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Judson University graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,297. The median Teaching program debt is $27,685. Read more about Judson University
Knox College landed the #30 spot in Illinois this year. Knox College is a private not-for-profit school based in Galesburg, IL. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $57,903 in tuition and fees. Knox College Teaching students take on a median of $26,420 in debt. Read more about Knox College
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #31 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Located in Springfield, IL, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Springfield
Mckendree University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lebanon, IL. Mckendree University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,740. Mckendree University Teaching students take on a median of $24,362 in debt. Get the full Mckendree University report
North Park University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on North Park University
Benedictine University placed #34 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Located in Lisle, IL, Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Benedictine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Benedictine University report
Governors State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Governors State University is a public school based in University Park, IL. Governors State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 21%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Governors State University
Rockford College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in Rockford, IL, Rockford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Rockford College posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,780. Graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. See the full Rockford College profile
Eureka College placed #37 among Teaching schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Eureka, IL. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $28,636 in tuition and fees. Eureka College Teaching students take on a median of $26,619 in debt. Get the full Eureka College report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Edwardsville, IL, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,917. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Chicago State University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Chicago, IL, Chicago State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 16%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Typical Teaching student debt is $43,322. See the full Chicago State University profile
Ms Roberts Academy Of Beauty Culture placed #40 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Read the full report on Ms Roberts Academy Of Beauty Culture
Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Il did well this year, earning the #41 position. More on Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Il
Chicago Professional Center landed the #42 spot in Illinois this year. Get the full Chicago Professional Center report
Zen Shiatsu Chicago ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. More on Zen Shiatsu Chicago
Career Center Of Southern Illinois came in at #44 in this year's ranking. More on Career Center Of Southern Illinois
Northwestern College Southwestern Campus came in at #45 in this year's ranking. See the full Northwestern College Southwestern Campus profile
John Amico School Of Hair Design landed the #46 spot in Illinois this year. Read the full report on John Amico School Of Hair Design
Meadville Lombard Theological School placed #47 among Teaching schools in Illinois. Read more about Meadville Lombard Theological School
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Libertyville landed the #48 spot in Illinois this year. More on Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Libertyville
University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology landed the #49 spot in Illinois this year. More on University Of Aesthetics And Cosmetology
Rock Valley College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. More on Rock Valley College
More Teaching Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 188 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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