2024 Best Colleges for Public Health Studies in the Chicago Area

• Evanston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,470 reviews

Junior: Northwestern University is a great college for students hoping to find a wide array of academic and extracurricular opportunities. Northwestern offers a wide range of courses on many different topics and because of the number of courses required to complete most majors (12-16), students in the College of Arts and Sciences are able to explore classes outside their majors at their leisure. The Quarter System can feel intimidating at first because of how fast-paced the courses can be but it also allows students to take more classes each year than a semester system which means students get to learn even more! Campus is also beautiful, located right next to Lake Michigan, so students are able to spend time outside of class at the beach and walking on the Lakefill.... Read 1,470 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $29,999

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3,516 reviews

Senior: University of Illinois Chicago is very diverse, which allows me to know people with different culture and background. The University is very open to hear students opinions and suggestions to changes that we believe are needed to better the school for everyone. Furthermore, the university takes great care of students overall mental health, thus multiple resources are available for students who needs help. One issue regarding the university is the doors on certain building are quiet heavy, hence student struggle to open them especially those with disability. I believe changing them will make things a lot easier for every students and including professors and adminstrators.... Read 3,516 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $10,725

• SAT range 1080-1310

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  709 reviews

Senior: North Park is incredibly gifted at preparing students for practical knowledge needed in healthcare, and stem-related jobs. The small class structure allows for students to develop a plan with faculty for their future, and brings more opportunities such as research to more of the student body than many larger schools where it is more competitive for those positions. Overall, a wonderful experience at NPU, and would recommend the school for someone who cares solely about developing academically, and having a close-knit student body.... Read 709 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $20,260

• SAT range 890-1140

• Valparaiso, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  1,134 reviews

Junior: Valparaiso University is a small school in Valparaiso, Indiana who's boasts are its rich history with the Lutheran church, its nationally ranked college of engineering, college of nursing, and meteorology program. When it comes to academics, Valpo has tried its best to support me in both my successes and struggles. While the structural portion of the civil engineering courses seems to be subpar currently, all other classes have been advantageous for my degree. The College of engineering has helpful professors and helping hands offered by other students because of its small size. Socially, Valpo may be a little more difficult to navigate because there is a low student population. But, Valpo does try to offer everything it can to suit your wants and needs. As a christian, I was struggling to find a group. But I found the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a worship service called Celebrate! in which I now participate weekly in both. Valpo has served me well.... Read 1,134 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $21,997

• SAT range 1070-1280

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  3,089 reviews

Freshman: I really love how valued as a student I feel here. The esteemed faculty and other students continue to make me feel at home and reaffirm my choice to enroll here at Loyola. The one-on-one instruction that is provided here is unlike any other. Additionally, the opportunities offered are endless! The straight connection to the city of Chicago is immensely helpful for not only internships but the overall college experience. Loyola provides its students with the facilities to travel within the city safely and passes for the train. Loyola's emphasis on diversity inclusion is another feature that I value greatly and makes me proud to be a part of this establishment.... Read 3,089 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 77%

• Net price $29,371

• SAT range 1160-1360

• Palatine, IL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  1,021 reviews

Sophomore: Being a part of the Harper College community was a memorable experience. Harper has so many ways to stay involved in school and within your community. They provide so many financial opportunities for students who are in need. Personally, Harper has helped me a lot with school and has allowed me thrive academically. The professors at Harper are also very friendly and understanding. If i could stay at Harper longer, I definitely would!... Read 1,021 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,112

• SAT range —

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  1,197 reviews

Senior: Northeastern Illinois University is a public university located in Chicago, Illinois. The university prides itself on its diverse student body and affordable tuition rates. With a commitment to academic excellence and community engagement, Northeastern Illinois University is a great choice for students seeking a quality education in an urban setting. Northeastern Illinois is a small campus, which is ideal for students of all ages who are seeking a very simple college experience. Due to the smaller campus size, students are easily able to find their classes, and get acclimated to the environment. The campus is also extremely safe and peaceful, therefore, it is perfect for students needing that space to really focus.... Read 1,197 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 62%

• Net price $14,133

• SAT range 810-1010

• Chicago, IL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  353 reviews

Junior: I’m a first generation, non traditional student. I decided to pursue a nursing career after I became a mother. From the beginning I have always felt so supported by advisors and professors. When my transplant failed I ended up back on dialysis and I was still in school part time and some semesters not at all. That didn’t stop advisors from reaching out nor did it stop professors from getting tested to give me an actual kidney. No one was a match but it felt surreal to have that kind of support. I have since returned and will begin my second year of nursing this fall. I’m really happy I chose MXC!... Read 353 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,199

• SAT range —

• Sugar Grove, IL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  625 reviews

Alum: Waubonsee has been a positive part of my local community for as long as I can remember. It has been a reliable place to consider for continuing education locally. The programs offered have only expanded and improved with time. Online courses have greatly improved, compared to ten years ago. I have taken classes here off and on throughout my adult life. The past two years I attended full-time to complete my associates in science, with intent to transfer into a radiography program. During my time here, I have encountered minimal issues with professors. There were only two instructors that I can recall being less than helpful or clear about teaching course information effectively. College administration staff have always been helpful with answering my questions, and assisting me with course recommendations that fit my long-term career goals. I would definitely recommend and attend in the future if needed.... Read 625 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,455

• SAT range —

• Des Plaines, IL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  579 reviews

Graduate Student: My educational and career path has been greatly aided by Oakton Community College. It gave me a strong foundation and priceless experiences that have formed my goals. Going to a community college was the best choice I made. I was fortunate to get a well-rounded education while attending Oakton Community College. The college is well known for its academic offerings, committed professors, and multicultural student body. I gained a comprehensive grasp of my topic of study, and it also assisted me in sharpening vital skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. Oakton provided me with a supportive environment and many resources. I remember the panic about choosing a college after finishing High School. As the first person to attend college in America, I needed more knowledge about college and someone to guide me through this process.... Read 579 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,143

• SAT range —

• University Park, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  399 reviews

Freshman: After going to open house at Governors State I've decided to make this my college of choice. The student to teacher loyalty is something that I'm getting to know, even those who take online courses are treated so fairly. Their faculty is very accommodating and the campus is very modern. Since starting summer school there I've had a blast and I can't wait to begin my journey there this fall. Go Jaguars!... Read 399 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 52%

• Net price $9,943

• SAT range 830-1060

• Chicago, IL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  264 reviews

Freshman: I had a great experience at Richard J Daley College.. The staff was very nice and helpful., The teachers were very hands on with many different teaching styles.. The classrooms were comfortable and not over crowed..another good thing about city colleges is, they can prepare you for a 4 year program in a university.. Many four-year colleges and universities have enrollment requirements that someone isn't ready to meet. A community college can offer remedial classes and general classes to help a student obtain the education they need to pursue higher education, for a cheaper price, while boosting their GPA.. The only thing I would add in a city college is probably a office somewhere in the building, that focuses only on the grants that’s offered to the students.. Because in most universities they have a staff that focuses mainly on that aspect, because most students don’t know about the grants being offered to them to help pay for their education..... Read 264 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $3,690

• SAT range —

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.32 out of 5  646 reviews

Junior: So far my experience at Chicago State University has been a positive experience for the most part. The university is a very good place to learning and growing. The university is very well established and has been very helpful to the students, staff and community. It has been a great opportunity for me to learn and support my community through the process of learning and building relationships with students and staff members. I’m excited about my future as a student at the university. I’m in the undergrad program for Early Childhood Education. The program is an excellent opportunity to learn about how you can help young children learn, grow and improve their skills. The Early Childhood Education department is also providing educational resources to help me with the development process of learning and teaching young children. The department staff are very supportive and helpful to all students in the program.... Read 646 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 48%

• Net price $4,846

• SAT range 750-1030

• South Holland, IL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  347 reviews

Sophomore: The thing I like the most about south suburban has to be the professors in my first semester here things are looking up. The professors make the lessons more interactive and less like the monotonic lecture style, and they also respond to emails and questions promptly. Which was a big issue that I had at my previous university, I'd send out an email and get a response like a week later. Something that I think could be changed is more outlets in the library, a lot of study areas in the library don't have outlets and it limits what you can do on your laptop in a given time. Otherwise, great university!... Read 347 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,021

• SAT range —