Best Illinois Liberal Arts Colleges
Illinois Wesleyan University ranked first and Wheaton College ranked second in 2024 Liberal Arts Colleges rankings in Illinois. (Read our ranking methodology and know how to rank.)
The following list summarizes the core statistics for top 8 Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois. You can check the schools in the comparison table below.
- The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the top 8 Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois is $47,718.
- The average graduate tuition & fees of the top 8 Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois is $19,440.
- The average SAT score is 1,233 and the average acceptance rate is 73.78%.
- The average number of students is 1,726 and the students to faculty ratio is 11 to 1.
- The average graduation rate is 74.33% and the transfer-out rate is 9.00%.
Best Illinois Liberal Arts Colleges Comparison Table
The following table shows Best Illinois Liberal Arts Colleges. You can sort the table by column by clicking/touching column titles and narrow down the college list by using buttons below.
| Rank | College Name | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | Graduate Tuition & Fees | SAT Score | Acceptance Rate | Population | Graduation Rate | Student to Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL | $55,704 | - | 1,250 | 42% | 1,527 | 79% | 11 to 1 |
| 2 | Wheaton College Wheaton, IL | $43,930 | $19,440 | 1,340 | 88% | 2,885 | 88% | 12 to 1 |
| 3 | Monmouth College Monmouth, IL | $43,520 | - | 1,110 | 91% | 767 | 56% | 10 to 1 |
| 4 | Augustana College Rock Island, IL | $49,834 | $34,660 | 1,130 | 61% | 2,349 | 77% | 11 to 1 |
| 5 | Illinois College Jacksonville, IL | $37,470 | $9,200 | 1,045 | 77% | 1,029 | 67% | 12 to 1 |
| 6 | Principia College Elsah, IL | $33,280 | - | 1,125 | 48% | 323 | 76% | 6 to 1 |
| 7 | Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL | $54,202 | $16,212 | 1,260 | 60% | 1,753 | 77% | 12 to 1 |
| 8 | Knox College Galesburg, IL | $55,587 | - | 1,290 | 73% | 1,058 | 74% | 9 to 1 |
| Average | $47,718 | $19,440 | 1,233 | 74% | 1,726 | 74% | 11 to 1 |
Illinois Colleges by Ranking and School Type