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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Engineering Schools in Illinois

2 Colleges in the United States
373 General Engineering Degrees Awarded
$46,696 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general engineering programs.

College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Engineering in Illinois

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

Top Schools in General Engineering

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best school in the country for a degree in general engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 46 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $57,461 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

A rank of #2 makes Harper College one of the top schools for general engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 52 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Harper College

3
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 20 general engineering degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $43,025 in their early career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for College Of Dupage

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 10 general engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

College Of Lake County came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 31 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from College Of Lake County

6
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College placed #6 among the best general engineering schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of East Peoria. Illinois Central College awarded about 12 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Illinois Central College

7
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. About 17 general engineering degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Mchenry County College earn around $24,177 in the first couple years of their career. Mchenry County College graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for Mchenry County College

8
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College came in at #8 for general engineering this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Rock Valley College awarded about 28 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,236. More information about a degree in general engineering from Rock Valley College

9

Olivet Nazarene University earned the #9 position for general engineering this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 35 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $66,394 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Olivet Nazarene University

10

Lewis And Clark Community College placed #10 among the best general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 11 general engineering degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $41,313 in their early career. Lewis And Clark Community College graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at Lewis And Clark Community College

11

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #11 for general engineering this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75 general engineering degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College

12

Elgin Community College landed the #12 spot for general engineering this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Elgin Community College awarded about 36 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $43,975 in their early career. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from Elgin Community College

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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 · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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