Best Engineering Programs in Illinois (2026)
Engineering programs in Illinois range from research-focused public flagships to applied-engineering programs at smaller schools. The list below is ranked by engineering program strength, ABET accreditation, graduate earnings, and net price.
#1
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$18,425/yr
Median Earnings
$82,592
Grad Rate
74%
Engineering Share
41.1%
#2
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Net Price
$29,167/yr
Median Earnings
$89,363
Grad Rate
96%
Engineering Share
15.2%
#3
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Net Price
$14,355/yr
Median Earnings
$81,054
Grad Rate
85%
Engineering Share
21.6%
#4
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$14,860/yr
Median Earnings
$91,885
Grad Rate
95%
Engineering Share
2.7%
#5
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Net Price
$22,719/yr
Median Earnings
$66,852
Grad Rate
74%
Engineering Share
17.3%
#6
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Net Price
$26,975/yr
Median Earnings
$63,756
Grad Rate
86%
Engineering Share
2.7%
#7
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$36,079/yr
Median Earnings
$71,530
Grad Rate
75%
Engineering Share
0.9%
#8
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,974/yr
Median Earnings
$68,740
Grad Rate
61%
Engineering Share
10.5%
#9
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Net Price
$22,736/yr
Median Earnings
$62,971
Grad Rate
76%
Engineering Share
2.2%
#10
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$30,902/yr
Median Earnings
$68,751
Grad Rate
69%
Engineering Share
0.0%
#11
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Net Price
$21,044/yr
Median Earnings
$60,123
Grad Rate
68%
Engineering Share
5.0%
#12
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
Net Price
$17,028/yr
Median Earnings
$66,099
Grad Rate
65%
Engineering Share
0.7%
#13
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL
Net Price
$14,889/yr
Median Earnings
$56,346
Grad Rate
56%
Engineering Share
8.7%
#14
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL
Net Price
$20,729/yr
Median Earnings
$53,213
Grad Rate
61%
Engineering Share
6.7%
#15
North Park University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$16,948/yr
Median Earnings
$59,572
Grad Rate
57%
Engineering Share
2.5%
#16
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
Net Price
$13,391/yr
Median Earnings
$57,808
Grad Rate
49%
Engineering Share
8.0%
#17
Benedictine University
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$22,313/yr
Median Earnings
$63,446
Grad Rate
51%
Engineering Share
1.7%
#18
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
Net Price
$13,297/yr
Median Earnings
$53,390
Grad Rate
59%
Engineering Share
2.9%
#19
Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL
Net Price
$17,133/yr
Median Earnings
$51,110
Grad Rate
62%
Engineering Share
2.1%
#20
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL
Net Price
$12,937/yr
Median Earnings
$54,163
Grad Rate
45%
Engineering Share
1.7%
#21
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL
Net Price
$12,786/yr
Median Earnings
$51,989
Grad Rate
46%
Engineering Share
0.6%
#22
Greenville University
Greenville, IL
Net Price
$19,533/yr
Median Earnings
$46,827
Grad Rate
46%
Engineering Share
1.3%
#23
DeVry University-Illinois
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$30,770/yr
Median Earnings
$45,987
Grad Rate
37%
Engineering Share
1.1%
#24
Principia College
Elsah, IL
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
—
Grad Rate
75%
Engineering Share
1.7%
Why a Engineering degree?
Engineering bachelor's degrees consistently top the federal earnings data for new graduates. ABET-accredited programs are the standard requirement for licensure and most engineering jobs.
Common career paths: Mechanical Engineer · Civil Engineer · Electrical Engineer · Biomedical Engineer · Environmental Engineer
Typical starting salary range: $72,000–$110,000
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