2026 Best Engineering Schools in Illinois

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 860 engineering degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $87,403 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,567. See the full engineering program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 2,739 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $88,357 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,628 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in engineering, ranking #3. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 100 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from University Of Chicago

4

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. About 14 engineering degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $43,654 in their early career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. See the full engineering program report for Wheaton College Illinois

5

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in engineering, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 52 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Harper College earn around $44,523 in the first couple years of their career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. More information about a degree in engineering from Harper College

6

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #6 spot for engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. There were roughly 20 engineering students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. See the full engineering program report for College Of Dupage

7

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County placed #7 among the best engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 31 engineering students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for College Of Lake County

8

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College earned the #8 position for engineering 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 28 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. North Central College graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Read more about the engineering program at North Central College

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #9 position for engineering 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 813 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $74,623 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,586. Get the full engineering details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College landed the #10 spot for engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of East Peoria. There were roughly 12 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Central College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Illinois Central College earn around $53,190 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,222. More information about a degree in engineering from Illinois Central College

11

Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. There were roughly 17 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Mchenry County College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Mchenry County College earn around $24,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete this degree. Read more about the engineering program at Mchenry County College

12

Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Rockford. There were roughly 55 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rock Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $41,080 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for Rock Valley College

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #13 spot for engineering this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 319 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $69,480 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,142. See the full engineering program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

14

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 35 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $66,394 early in their careers. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for Olivet Nazarene University

15

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #15 for engineering this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. About 11 engineering degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the 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. More information about a degree in engineering from Lewis And Clark Community College

16

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #16 among the best engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 engineering degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $121,173. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Read more about the engineering program at Depaul University

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College awarded about 75 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College

18

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #18 position for engineering this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 204 engineering degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $72,855. Students borrow a median of $26,978 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for Bradley University

19

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #19 position for engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $68,020 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full engineering details for Loyola University Chicago

20

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 303 engineering degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $74,811 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,698 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for Northern Illinois University

21

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois landed the #21 spot for engineering this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 10 engineering degrees were awarded at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $54,165 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in engineering from Augustana College Illinois

22

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #22 for engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 589 engineering degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $75,410 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,201 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from Illinois Institute Of Technology

23

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College landed the #23 spot for engineering this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 36 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Elgin Community College earn around $43,975 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. See the full engineering program report for Elgin Community College

24

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #24 for engineering this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 97 engineering degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $66,445. Students borrow a median of $20,933 to complete this degree. Get the full engineering details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

25

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #25 among the best engineering schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $66,112 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete this degree. Get the full engineering details for Western Illinois University