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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in Illinois

17 Colleges in the United States
973 General Educational Leadership & Administration Degrees Awarded
$73,257 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Educational Leadership & Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general educational leadership & administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Educational Leadership & Administration in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general educational leadership & administration education in Illinois.

Top Schools in General Educational Leadership & Administration

1

No school ranked higher than Concordia University Chicago this year for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 36% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 254 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $91,059. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Concordia University Chicago

2

Students looking for a strong general educational leadership & administration program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 36 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $89,114 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,896. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Illinois State University

3

University Of St Francis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 32 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at University Of St Francis in the most recent year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from University Of St Francis earn around $88,450 in the first couple years of their career. University Of St Francis graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at University Of St Francis

4
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general educational leadership & administration, ranking #4. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Depaul University earn around $68,961 in the first couple years of their career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Depaul University

5

Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 21 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $55,802 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Get the full general educational leadership & administration details for Loyola University Chicago

6

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $63,264 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,209. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Northern Illinois University

7

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #7 for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. About 45 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $82,842 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Northeastern Illinois University

8

Roosevelt University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 46% of students finish within six years. Roosevelt University awarded about 47 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Roosevelt University earn around $100,024 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete this degree. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Roosevelt University

9
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #9 for general educational leadership & administration this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. About 64% of students finish within six years. North Central College awarded about 22 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of North Central College earn a median of $81,014 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from North Central College

10
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #10 position for general educational leadership & administration this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. Aurora University awarded about 46 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $90,978 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Aurora University

11
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general educational leadership & administration schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete this degree. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Lewis University

12

Eastern Illinois University earned the #12 position for general educational leadership & administration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. About 68 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $67,396 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Eastern Illinois University

13

National Louis University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general educational leadership & administration schools. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. National Louis University awarded about 88 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $87,412 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,242. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for National Louis University

14
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Governors State University graduates 21% of students within six years. Governors State University awarded about 17 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $80,009 early in their careers. Governors State University graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Governors State University

15

North Park University came in at #15 for general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 13 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for North Park University

16

Western Illinois University came in at #16 for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 general educational leadership & administration degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Western Illinois University earn around $113,839 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,639. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from Western Illinois University

17

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #17 position for general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 119 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $46,568 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Get the full general educational leadership & administration details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

18

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #18 spot for general educational leadership & administration this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. About 52% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 15 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general educational leadership & administration program make about $60,442 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. More information about a degree in general educational leadership & administration from University Of Illinois At Springfield

19

Chicago State University came in at #19 for general educational leadership & administration this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. Chicago State University graduates 16% of students within six years. Chicago State University awarded about 20 general educational leadership & administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Chicago State University graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Read more about the general educational leadership & administration program at Chicago State University

20

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general educational leadership & administration schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 general educational leadership & administration students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general educational leadership & administration degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $43,161 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,730. See the full general educational leadership & administration program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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