Total Student Population Comparison
The total student population of best schools in Illinois is 144,461 with 73,108 female students and 71,353 male students. This enrollment statistics is based on the latest data from IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education for academic year 2024-2025. The following table compares the student population for both undergraduate and graduate schools between best schools in Illinois.
Among the best schools in Illinois, University of Urbana-Champaign has the most enrolled students of 59,238, while Principia College has the least number of students of 339 for both in graduate and undergraduate programs.
| Rank | Name | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago | 18,566 | 10,087 | 8,479 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | 23,856 | 10,696 | 13,160 |
| 3 | Principia College | 339 | 199 | 140 |
| 4 | University of Urbana-Champaign | 59,238 | 31,825 | 27,413 |
| 5 | Institute of Technology | 8,834 | 5,473 | 3,361 |
| 6 | Wheaton College | 2,874 | 1,315 | 1,559 |
| 7 | Loyola University Chicago | 17,384 | 5,417 | 11,967 |
| 8 | Wesleyan University | 1,582 | 797 | 785 |
| 9 | Lewis University | 7,011 | 3,381 | 3,630 |
| 10 | Bradley University | 4,777 | 2,163 | 2,614 |
| Total | 144,461 | 71,353 | 73,108 | |
Undergraduate Student Population
The total undergraduate population of best schools in Illinois is 81,803 with 42,089 female students and 39,714 male students. The following table compares 2024-2025 undergraduate enrollment between best schools in Illinois.
Among the best schools in Illinois, University of Urbana-Champaign has the most enrolled undergraduate students of 37,140, while Principia College has the least number of undergraduate students of 339.
| Rank | Name | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago | 7,598 | 4,121 | 3,477 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | 9,399 | 4,254 | 5,145 |
| 3 | Principia College | 339 | 199 | 140 |
| 4 | University of Urbana-Champaign | 37,140 | 19,404 | 17,736 |
| 5 | Institute of Technology | 3,135 | 2,079 | 1,056 |
| 6 | Wheaton College | 2,150 | 988 | 1,162 |
| 7 | Loyola University Chicago | 12,538 | 3,916 | 8,622 |
| 8 | Wesleyan University | 1,582 | 797 | 785 |
| 9 | Lewis University | 4,326 | 2,195 | 2,131 |
| 10 | Bradley University | 3,596 | 1,761 | 1,835 |
| Total | 81,803 | 39,714 | 42,089 | |
Graduate Student Population
The total graduate population of best schools in Illinois is 62,658 with 31,019 female students and 31,639 male students. The following table compares 2023-2024 graduate enrollment between best schools in Illinois.
Among the best schools in Illinois, University of Urbana-Champaign has the most enrolled graduate students of 22,098, while Wheaton College has the least number of graduate students of 724.
| Rank | Name | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago | 10,968 | 5,966 | 5,002 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | 14,457 | 6,442 | 8,015 |
| 4 | University of Urbana-Champaign | 22,098 | 12,421 | 9,677 |
| 5 | Institute of Technology | 5,699 | 3,394 | 2,305 |
| 6 | Wheaton College | 724 | 327 | 397 |
| 7 | Loyola University Chicago | 4,846 | 1,501 | 3,345 |
| 9 | Lewis University | 2,685 | 1,186 | 1,499 |
| 10 | Bradley University | 1,181 | 402 | 779 |
| Total | 62,658 | 31,639 | 31,019 | |
Distance Learning (Online Class) Enrollment
The following table compares 2023-2024 distance learning enrollment for both undergraduate and graduate programs between best schools in Illinois. In undergraduate programs, out of total 81,803 students, 1,637 students (2.00%) have taken courses only through distance learning and 29,179 students (35.67%) have learned from at least one online course. For graduate schools, out of total 62,658 students, 13,940 students (22.25%) have taken courses only through distance learning and 8,197 students (13.08%) have learned from at least one online course.
| Rank | Name | Undergraduate | Graduate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Online Exclusively | Some Online Classes | Total | Online Exclusively | Some Online Classes | ||
| 1 | University of Chicago | 7,598 | - | - | 10,968 | 102 (0.93%) |
- |
| 2 | Northwestern University | 9,399 | - | 16 (0.17%) | 14,457 | 781 (5.40%) |
1,493 (10.33%) |
| 3 | Principia College | 339 | - | 73 (21.53%) | No Graduate Level Courses Offered | ||
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 37,140 | 343 (0.92%) |
22,545 (60.70%) | 22,098 | 8,869 (40.13%) |
2,286 (10.34%) |
| 5 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 3,135 | 352 (11.23%) |
832 (26.54%) | 5,699 | 1,413 (24.79%) |
1,276 (22.39%) |
| 6 | Wheaton College | 2,150 | - | 4 (0.19%) | 724 | 210 (29.01%) |
111 (15.33%) |
| 7 | Loyola University Chicago | 12,538 | 242 (1.93%) |
1,692 (13.49%) | 4,846 | 1,151 (23.75%) |
1,473 (30.40%) |
| 8 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 1,582 | - | 48 (3.03%) | No Graduate Level Courses Offered | ||
| 9 | Lewis University | 4,326 | 673 (15.56%) |
2,214 (51.18%) | 2,685 | 684 (25.47%) |
1,448 (53.93%) |
| 10 | Bradley University | 3,596 | 27 (0.75%) |
1,755 (48.80%) | 1,181 | 730 (61.81%) |
110 (9.31%) |
| Average | 81,803 | 1,637 (2.00%) |
29,179 (35.67%) |
62,658 | 13,940 (22.25%) |
8,197 (13.08%) | |
The ranking data is provided by CollegeEvaluator. We compare the schools that ranked top 10 in Illinoisand in top 500 ranking for all colleges and universities in United States.
Top Colleges By Subject
- Tightest Schools To Admit (Lowest Acceptance Rate)
- Affordable Schools To Admit (Highest Acceptance Rate)
- Most Favored Schools (Highest Yield)
- Colleges with Low Yield
- Expensive Colleges (Highest Tuition & Fees)
- Inexpensive Colleges (Lowest Tuition & Fees)
- Colleges with Most Students
- Colleges with Least Students
- Colleges with Most Online Students
- Colleges with Least Online Students
- Colleges with Highest Graduation Rates
- Colleges with Lowest Graduation Rates
- Low Student to Faculty Ratio
- High Student to Faculty Ratio