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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Education Schools in Illinois

3 Colleges in the United States
472 General Education Degrees Awarded
$48,269 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education 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.

College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Education in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in Illinois.

Top Schools in General Education

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 205 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $62,620 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778. Get the full general education details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Lake Forest College graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 general education students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $41,168 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Lake Forest College

3

A rank of #3 makes Northern Illinois University one of the top schools for general education. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 35 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $50,338. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for Northern Illinois University

4
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Rockford College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Rockford College graduates 47% of students within six years. Rockford College awarded about 22 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Rockford College earn around $56,020 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,094. More information about a degree in general education from Rockford College

5
Trinity Christian College crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Palos Heights. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 21 general education degrees were awarded at Trinity Christian College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $48,400 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,722 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Trinity Christian College

6

North Park University landed the #6 spot for general education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 general education degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $57,383 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at North Park University

7

Western Illinois University placed #7 among the best general education schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. Western Illinois University awarded about 12 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Western Illinois University

8
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL

Greenville College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Greenville College awarded about 34 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $36,911 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,933. See the full general education program report for Greenville College

9

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #9 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. There were roughly 48 general education students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn around $27,158 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,458. See the full general education program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College

10

Mckendree University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 14 general education students who graduated with this degree at Mckendree University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,945 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,362. Get the full general education details for Mckendree University

11
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University earned the #11 position for general education this year. Located in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 general education students who graduated with this degree at Quincy University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $52,088 in their early career. Quincy University graduates carry a median of $26,691 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Quincy University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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