2023 Best Colleges that Accept the Common App in Illinois

• Evanston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,446 reviews

Junior: Northwestern is a wonderful academic institution. The professors and one of a kind programs are incredibly engaging. Northwestern provides students with so many opportunities within their undergraduate career. The campus is in an ideal location with its proximity to Chicago and lakefront access. Additionally, Northwestern has hundreds of clubs that fit any and all interests. The only downsides to Northwestern include the competitive atmosphere, cold winters, and lackluster party scene. If you are someone who is willing to brave the cold and explore Chicago for your fun and parties, then Northwestern is the place for you!... Read 1,446 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $28,344

• SAT range 1430-1550

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  1,223 reviews

Sophomore: UChicago certainly lives up to the rumors of its academic rigor but it pays off because each of my classes has been full of highly engaged students excited to study and discuss the material! Unfortunately for students not very very well versed in time-management, the academic work really can take over your life and fulfill the “where fun goes to die” catch-phrase for this school so it requires some serious practice to balance fun and work. In terms of on-campus living, their “Hogwarts” style housing makes for an amazing built-in community even as a freshman. I love living in the dorms and plan to stay through graduation! I’d recommend this college only to students who genuinely enjoy dedicating over 50% of their time to their academics.... Read 1,223 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $36,584

• SAT range 1500-1570

• Urbana, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  4,829 reviews

Graduate Student: As a working adult and someone who is somewhat cautious about recent COVID complications, a program that is online seemed the best route for me. I looked at a lot of different Universities that offered online programs, but price also was a big concern for me too. Through my searches I came across the University of Illinois and their iMBA program. After looking into the program and realizing what a great university the school was, I was also happy knowing it was within my home state of Illinois. Further, the iMBA program was offered at a reasonable price that ultimately made me go with University of Illinois. This is a great University that is well know and that offers a nationally top ranked learning experience! Their online iMBA program was just what I was looking for to continue my education. The are a lot of fellow working adults from all aspects of varying careers. Its a great opportunity to work with and learn from so many others who can offer a different view and perspective.... Read 4,829 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 63%

• Net price $13,517

• SAT range 1200-1460

• Wheaton, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  661 reviews

Freshman: I am so grateful for choosing Wheaton. As a freshman, I already feel very at home here. Even in the midst of a pandemic, Wheaton has been extremely intentional about building community. Also, in my opinion, Wheaton has managed the COVID-19 situation very wisely. Statistically, there have been very few cases and no mass outbreaks on campus. It is a very friendly community with great opportunities for deep relationships with peers and faculty. The faculty care very much about their students. It is a very vibrant academic environment with a focused, analytical, and holistic approach to the liberal arts. Students are overall very academically motivated and genuinely enthused about their coursework. Faith and learning are truly integrated here in a beautiful way. The words “for Christ and His Kingdom” accurately describe life here. I highly recommend visiting!... Read 661 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $27,474

• SAT range 1210-1450

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  3,607 reviews

Sophomore: Based on my experience at DePaul, the academic programs, professors, and students have been amazing! Not only is everyone friendly, but connections between classmates and professors are also quickly made due to intimate-sized classes. We run on a 10-week quarter system so the course material will move at a quick pace. There are events for students to attend on the regular where students can get free university merch, food, and other things. Extracurriculars wise there are so many clubs and organizations to join. I believe some require payment and others are free. Other student resources, like tutoring or accessing the alumni network, are also available. These are good options if you need help or insight about your major or help with concepts taught in class. Also, ask your counselor or resident advisor for information if you are housing on campus. Financially, I think DePaul offers great scholarships, but to get more educational value be engaged and use RateMyProfessor ratings.... Read 3,607 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $33,319

• SAT range 1050-1260

• Bloomington, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  620 reviews

Senior: Illinois Wesleyan University puts a focus on academics and not partying and I love that! The courses are rigorous, making it the perfect campus for people who love to learn. There is very high job and grad school placement as a result. There are many music ensembles, clubs, and sports teams so that everyone can find their niche. The school is extremely small, so everyone knows everyone, not just people in their major. The professors know students by name and know their interests, and there are no grad students teaching. The school offers a lot of financial aid, making the school much more accessible than public universities. My only issues are that the school has an overt political bias when it should be neutral and most of our foreign language programs have been cut. Overall, it is a great school that is career-driven with great opportunities!... Read 620 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $32,545

• SAT range 1100-1300

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  3,416 reviews

Junior: This is my first academic year at The University of Illinois at Chicago. I transferred to this University after attending to previous institutions. Prior to my time at UIC I didn't enjoy learning however, now I'm beyond excited to complete my degree. I'm a transfer student who felt completely welcomed into the UIC community from day one. Even with COVID restrictions and protocols I still felt welcomed by the student base and from my professors. Overall, I find UIC to be a great environment and feel safe while on campus. There's attentive leaders and faces throughout my campus which is also comforting. In general, Chicago isn't the safest area but, while in the quad or walking to classes it feels like you're not even exposed to the dangers outside of the learning bubble which I like. I would wholeheartedly recommend friends, family, and future students to attend UIC because this institution does not miss when it comes to receiving an education. Can't wait to be done with my studies!... Read 3,416 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $12,614

• SAT range 1030-1250

• Lake Forest, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.49 out of 5  468 reviews

Alum: This school is amazing! It is an undiscovered gem. The professors are very available and form personal relationships with students because they don't have graduate students to deal with. They know students by their names. Professors have high expectations but provide personal one-on-one support. A brand new state-of-the-art science building has just been completed and has so much to offer. There are internships and class credits offered from the many local medical facilities. Set in a residential neighborhood, the campus is gorgeous with notable architecture. It is located only a couple of blocks from Lake Michigan, the beach, and park. The city of Lake Forest is one of the most comfortable and safest cities in Illinois.... Read 468 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 58%

• Net price $26,968

• SAT range 1020-1240

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  3,005 reviews

Niche User: When it came down to choosing between schools, Loyola ranked very high for me. I remember on October 2nd, I was invited to an orientation/tour of the campus and I absolutely loved the whole experience. I got to talk to the teachers and got a better image of what I wanted to actually pursue, more importantly to clarify things, before I went to that tour, I did not truly what field of engineering I wanted to take a deeper dive into, but as I talked to the professionals, they really opened my eyes on all the fields and how interesting and unique each one is. Other than the academics, the campus truly amazed me on how beautiful it was and how it looked nothing like any of the other schools that I was looking at, the image that I keep going back to is the library on the water and each one of the buildings just sprawled around the city with all their glory. The things that this university offers to the students and community is second to none. Go Ramblers!... Read 3,005 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 71%

• Net price $37,731

• SAT range 1130-1330

• Rock Island, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  768 reviews

Alum: Augustana College is one of the best school's in the Midwest. The campus is beautiful and absolutely stunning with Fall foliage. The unique configuration of the Quad Cities allows for ample off campus opportunities, especially in the form of internships with the help from campus staff. The Greek Life on campus is strictly local but still lots of fun for the members. The school is very supportive of student initiatives, i.e. a club I helped form while on campus is now a varsity sport! Post graduation, there is a very high job/grad school placement. Graduating in the recession, my peers and I had much more success in finding jobs than friends from other schools. As an employer now, I love hiring Augie students because of their diverse skillset developed through all the extracurricular activities they are able to lead and the multiple majors they are able to pursue.... Read 768 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $24,233

• SAT range —

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  713 reviews

Freshman: I love my university. The people here are very enthusiastic and are good at keeping up with the workload. It makes the fatigue of studying a lot easier on a lot of us. Not to mention it's awesome to take an adventure to Chicago every weekend since it is so close to us and they give a ton of money in scholarships. When they say don't apply to schools because they have low tuition, they are totally right! IIT had the highest tuition for me when applying, but it ended up being the cheapest school to attend because of my scholarship award. It is amazing for its value too. Since the school is only 3000 undergraduate students it is a lot easier for you to get an opportunity in research or in other student organizations compared to being at a university with 40000 students. The experience is something so much better than you can imagine and you really feel like you are making a difference. I also have never had an issue with safety which is always a perk :))... Read 713 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 61%

• Net price $28,161

• SAT range 1200-1390

• Palos Heights, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  308 reviews

Sophomore: I love my college because of the friendships and the professor relationships I have made- the community here is absolutely incredible! That being said, because we are a smaller school, we lack in some areas, like a nicer dining hall or nicer dorm buildings. I also think communication between the departments could be significantly better. It's often an issue with the financial aid department, but they send me to student life or to the registrar. But once I talk to them, they send me back to financial aid. Overall, I am glad to be here, but there are some things I wish could be improved.... Read 308 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $23,177

• SAT range 980-1180

• Joliet, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  332 reviews

Senior: Love it so much the atmosphere is amazing! The nursing program is so amazing it’s so helpful and has so many resources for students to utilize when in need. The nursing campus is separate from the main campus which is also great because it has a sense of privacy.... Read 332 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 60%

• Net price $16,761

• SAT range 970-1180

• Normal, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  3,013 reviews

Sophomore: At ISU you get a small town vibe, which I personally love about the campus and the town itself. The campus grounds are pretty, especially in the heart of campus in the arboretum. Professors here are very friendly and willing to help in anyway they can. There are numerous choices of student organizations in various subjects, from the environment, to sports, to Greek societies, religious, and even political, if you enjoy that, and many more! I would say that the food is better at Tri towers(one of the dorms), mostly because the athletes live there. But if you prefer space, and wish to live in dorms, Watterson is the place for you. They’re dorms are bigger than the other two, Tri and Hewett-Manchester. Plus in the winter, it’s connected to a cafeteria, so you don’t have to go outside in the snow to get food. However, if you live out of state, it’s better to live in Hewett-Manchester or Tri because they don’t close during breaks.... Read 3,013 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 81%

• Net price $20,933

• SAT range 1020-1220

• Naperville, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  893 reviews

Senior: The small class size was extremely beneficial for me because I tend to get distracted in large class sizes so this allowed me to stay on top of my studies. It also allowed for the development of professor-student relationships. Having these relationships is great because you in turn understand the course material better, have options for letter of recommendation writers, and feel more connected to campus. North Central also has many options for student, on-campus jobs. They are flexible with hours and understand the responsibilities of a full time student. There are options for students interested in research to take part in research and gain that experience. Additionally, North Central College it right next to Downtown Naperville which provides students with a great way to obtain jobs and get out and have fun! Finally, the sporting events are a lot of fun as you are able to interact with the team players and form deeper bonds with your peers. North Central is great place for anyone!... Read 893 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 53%

• Net price $26,053

• SAT range 1050-1230

• Springfield, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  482 reviews

Graduate Student: I appreciate the schools' communicative and relationship skills. The school has exceptional lecturers who are not only good in teaching but treat proper relationship with students and other members of staff as paramount. University of Illinois Springfield is very accommodating as they are always open to receive students from all parts of the world irrespective of their race, religion, culture and beliefs and background. University of Illinois offers several courses and has three branches located at Springfield, Urbana and Chicago. This gives room to accommodate more students. University of Illinois Springfield is located in the heart of the Illinois town and has so many beautiful places for adventure and sight seeing. In other to help international students and students from other states settle properly in safety, the school provides very affordable accomodations and food for the students. Students at the school are exposed to activities that are inter-relational.... Read 482 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 77%

• Net price $11,628

• SAT range 980-1190

• Galesburg, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  528 reviews

Junior: Being in my third year as a Knox College student, each year that I return to Knox College in the fall reminds me of why I fell in love with the institution in the first place. Being an out-of-state student, it was of major importance that I find a college that has a comforting community environment. From my experiences, I believe that Knox College puts in a great amount of effort to provide each student with a place to flourish and allow students to find areas of interest both academically and socially. No matter your background, there is most likely going to be a class, organization, or club that adheres to your values and interests. However, one area of disapproval that's appeared is the manner in which the institution has handled social issues on campus. Whether it be due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other circumstances, that has been a downfall with the campus administration. But, due to the close community, students have not been afraid to seek improvement on these issues.... Read 528 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 71%

• Net price $23,266

• SAT range 1080-1320

• Lebanon, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  470 reviews

Senior: To start, I chose McKendree University because it was a great size for me, not too big, not too small. I joined the cheerleading team here and it was great for me, I met all my friends through the team I was on, that's how it goes for many people interested in athletics. I have had great professors who helped me with my education, but also helped me with my mental state and would be understanding of the situations as long as I would communicate with them. The only things I would like to see change would be the professors who gave no assistance when asked and expected the students to know everything off the top of their heads. I would also like to see more groups for people who struggle to find a place to fit in and make friends.... Read 470 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $20,869

• SAT range 860-1270

• Peoria, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  1,194 reviews

Sophomore: I love the small feel of the campus and classrooms! I never have to ride a bus to get to my classes and I can get by without bringing a car. The food could be better but they have lots of options for all lifestyles (vegan, vegetarian, allergy friendly) and there's a Chick-fil-a on campus! They professors are excellent as well--always available and create a more personalized classroom experience with the smaller class sizes. I have also seen people get certain career opportunities over students from other schools simply because of Bradley's good academic reputation.... Read 1,194 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $25,850

• SAT range 1080-1280

• Charleston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  1,330 reviews

Senior: In my past 4 years here at EIU, there's been a lot of change. The campus pre-COVID was a completely different atmosphere, a lot more fun and there seemed to be a lot more students out and about. Now, it seems to be on the rebound but it seems like it will be a little bit before things like Greek Life make a full comeback (would recommend btw). The classes here aren't difficult and the smaller class sizes really do make it easy to get to know your professors personally. The dorm buildings and food do leave something to be desired, but I have seen improvements in the past couple of years. There is some issues now with staffing due to the budget and the administration's willingness to pay their workers a livable wage, but from the student perspective I would still highly recommend coming here! Lots of graduate assistantships available as well if you're interested in coming here for grad school!... Read 1,330 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 56%

• Net price $13,551

• SAT range 960-1140

• Romeoville, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  924 reviews

Freshman: I enjoy the campus a lot. The staff and students have been welcoming and caring. Also, I enjoy the food they have here. My room did have an ant issue, but I have had so much support here. Everyone is respectful here at Lewis. It’s been my dream to attend this university and player here. Now, it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made!... Read 924 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 66%

• Net price $20,022

• SAT range 1010-1220

• Macomb, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  1,736 reviews

Niche User: WIU is proud to be accessible and affordable. In my opinion they exceed that standard. My daughter ran into a difficult situation during her first semester there; a class was held online, her connection didn't allow her to get more than two-thirds of each lecture, and the instructor wasn't posting the lectures on the website. Her grades in that class were plummeting. (Way back in the Reagan years, as a first-semester freshman, I had an illness that put me in hospital for a week, and my grades did the same.) I thought her situation was "no-win," but I felt I had to do something, so I emailed the department chairperson and the president, asking for advice I could pass to her. The response was swift and positive, and in a matter of a few weeks, my daughter had switched to an in-person section of that class. I am grateful for WIU's clear commitment to students, and I'll be a WIU fan for life. Go Leathernecks!... Read 1,736 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $15,361

• SAT range 950-1150

• Carbondale, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  2,030 reviews

Junior: Going to college at SIUC has been so wonderful. The beauty that Southern Illinois has to offer really sealed the deal for me, I enjoy hiking on the weekends and whenever I need a good study break. SIU really has been great to me. They're very considerate and have been very understanding when I reached out for help. There's tons of fun events that the school holds which includes free food and t-shirts which is super fun. My only complaint is that the parking division is rude and hands out tickets left and right, but I think every University is like that. It has been so fun to go to school here and enjoying the beautiful campus and events the school holds. I really appreciate the scholarships that SIU gives out, they're very generous with both scholarships and grants. The dorms are great and the food at the dining hall is actually amazing. Also, Carbondale is so fun! Especially the bars! SIUC is a really safe, fun environment and I couldn't of asked for a better place to go to college.... Read 2,030 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $15,638

• SAT range 930-1180

• Carlinville, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.3 out of 5  116 reviews

Freshman: I absolutely adore Blackburn College. I started here because it is a small, private, liberal-arts college. And added bonus is the uniqueness of it... it is one of seven work colleges in the country, and we are the only student managed one! I feel such pride and feel so proud to be here. I am a first-year student, and can already say I am a resident assistant and the future president of Student Senate for the 2019-20 school year, and much more. The professors are wonderful, the academics are good because they are challenging, and so much more. I am so proud to be a Blackburn student.... Read 116 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 55%

• Net price $15,603

• SAT range 890-1090

• Monmouth, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  555 reviews

Freshman: Once I found this school I instantly fell in love. The schools history and mine are quite similar, seeing as we both have Scottish backgrounds. This school has excited me to finish school like no other university. I can only hope to get admission and pursue the first step of the rest of my life!... Read 555 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 69%

• Net price $18,685

• SAT range 1050-1260