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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Chemistry Schools in Illinois

7 Colleges in the United States
607 General Chemistry Degrees Awarded
$57,586 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Chemistry is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools to find the best for general chemistry students.

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Best Schools for General Chemistry 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 general chemistry degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Chemistry

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for general chemistry. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 116 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Get the full general chemistry details for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 70 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $90,302. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Northwestern University

3

Students looking for a strong general chemistry program will find one at Bradley University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Bradley University

4

Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general chemistry, ranking #4. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 19 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $58,568 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general chemistry from Loyola University Chicago

5

Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general chemistry, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 30 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,875. Read more about the general chemistry program at Illinois State University

6
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #6 spot for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 17 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $55,718 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,781 to complete this degree. Read more about the general chemistry program at Lewis University

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for general chemistry this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 163 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $74,138 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the general chemistry program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Eastern Illinois University earned the #8 position for general chemistry this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 general chemistry students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. General Chemistry graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. See the full general chemistry program report for Eastern Illinois University

9

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #9 position for general chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 44 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Students who receive their general chemistry degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $46,659 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general chemistry program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general chemistry schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 68 general chemistry degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,474 in student loans. More information about a degree in general chemistry from University Of Illinois At Chicago

11

Northern Illinois University earned the #11 position for general chemistry this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 39 general chemistry degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $43,061. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,023 in student loans. Read more about the general chemistry program at Northern Illinois University

12

Western Illinois University landed the #12 spot for general chemistry this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. Western Illinois University awarded about 14 general chemistry degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general chemistry program make about $31,980 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full general chemistry details for Western Illinois University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 45 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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