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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best architecture Schools in Illinois

3 Colleges in the United States
188 architecture Degrees Awarded
$45,512 Avg Early-Career Salary

architecture programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for architecture students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for architecture in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in architecture

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in architecture. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 89 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the architecture program make about $37,143 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,840 in student loans. Get the full architecture details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

2

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 architecture students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Students who receive their architecture degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $51,093 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in architecture from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

3

Judson University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #3 spot this year. Judson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Elgin. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 architecture students who graduated with this degree at Judson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the architecture program make about $48,301 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,221. See the full architecture program report for Judson University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 3 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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