5 Best Colleges in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Fenris Morrow, Expert in Professional Services · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Chicago's college scene runs from Gothic quads to community college classrooms teaching English as a second language, and the gap between them matters more than the marketing suggests. The colleges in Chicago on this list have logged 3,420 reviews combined, and every single one sits between 4.4 and 4.6, a tighter cluster than you'd guess given how different these institutions actually are. When the ratings barely move, the real decision comes down to what each one is actually built for.

Short answer: The University of Chicago tops the list at 4.6 stars across 1,203 reviews, the most-reviewed name on the page and a research powerhouse. University of Illinois Chicago (4.5, 987 reviews) and Loyola University Chicago (4.5, 586 reviews) follow closely. For community college and career-focused paths, Harry S Truman College and Midwestern Career College round out the list, both still rated 4.4 and 4.5 respectively.

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1. The University of Chic…
2. University of Illinois…
3. Loyola University Chic…
4. Harry S Truman College
5. Midwestern Career Coll…
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Chicago's Colleges, Side by Side

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	The University of Chicago	4.6 ★	1,203	Elite research and academics	View ›
2	University of Illinois Chicago	4.5 ★	987	Practical, career-connected public university	View ›
3	Loyola University Chicago	4.5 ★	586	Jesuit values with a lakefront campus	View ›
4	Harry S Truman College	4.4 ★	410	Community college and ESL programs	View ›
5	Midwestern Career College	4.5 ★	234	Career-focused programs for international students	View ›

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

The University of Chicago

4.61,203 Google reviews

The University of Chicago is a private research university on the South Side known for its rigorous academics and neo-Gothic campus, home to the Booth School of Business and Pritzker School of Medicine. Reviewers consistently describe an intense academic culture built around free expression and debate, alongside architecture that visitors compare to an art museum. It's a name that carries serious global research weight.

What people praise

Campus architecture and grounds repeatedly praised as stunning, especially in spring
Strong reputation for research depth across economics, sociology, and the sciences
Library open to the public with a real ID, noted by several visitors
Peaceful, safe atmosphere even for non-students visiting with family

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume1,203 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown80% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed college on this list and the highest rated. If prestige and research depth are what you're after, this is the clear starting point in Chicago.

Website +1773-702-1234 Directions

5801 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

University of Illinois Chicago

4.5987 Google reviews

University of Illinois Chicago is a public research university on the Near West Side built around direct ties to the working city around it, from healthcare systems to business internships. Students describe a campus culture that pushes toward practical competence, with easy access to downtown Chicago via train and a genuinely diverse student population. The new computer science building and campus safety apps came up often in reviews.

What people praise

Strong, direct connections between coursework and real internships and healthcare systems
Good train connectivity to downtown Chicago and affordable off-campus housing options nearby
Safety apps and campus infrastructure specifically praised by students
International ranking recognition (listed among world top 500 universities) noted by a reviewer

Worth knowing

One reviewer flagged accessibility gaps, like limited wheelchair availability for people who can't walk far

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume987 · 92th

Confidencehigh

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone

Rating breakdown73% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Nearly 1,000 reviews at 4.5 stars. A strong pick if you want a public university with a hands-on, professionally connected culture rather than an insulated campus feel.

Website +1312-996-7000 Directions

1200 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607

#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Loyola University Chicago

4.5586 Google reviews

Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit university on the lakefront in Rogers Park, with a mission built around service and integrity alongside more than 100 majors and minors. The campus sits directly on Lake Michigan, combining classic and modern buildings, and the university is known nationally for its 2018 Final Four basketball run led by Sister Jean. Reviewers describe a strong library and a close-knit, service-oriented culture.

What people praise

Beautiful lakefront setting with a mix of classic and modern architecture
Long library hours, open until midnight, praised for supporting late study
Strong institutional identity around service and integrity, not just academics
Good nearby dining options mentioned by visiting family

Worth knowing

A few reviewers described rising tuition costs and limited job placement support after graduation

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume586 · 86th

Confidencehigh

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown75% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Sits at 4.5 across nearly 600 reviews. A good match if the Jesuit mission and lakefront setting matter to you as much as the degree itself.

Website +1773-274-3000 Directions

1032 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

#4🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Harry S Truman College

4.4410 Google reviews

Harry S Truman College is a City Colleges of Chicago community college in Uptown, best known for its ESL and GED programs alongside standard associate-degree coursework. It positions itself around accessibility, with free GED and ESL classes advertised in both English and Spanish, and reviewers frequently credit specific instructors for helping them build English skills from scratch.

What people praise

ESL instructors named and praised repeatedly for patience and clear teaching
Free GED and ESL programs open to the community, in English and Spanish
Bright, simply laid-out campus with a well-regarded cafeteria
Strong first-step option for international students new to the country

Worth knowing

A couple of reviewers described inflexibility around attendance policies for students juggling work

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume410 · 81th

Confidencehigh

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown74% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: At 4.4 across 410 reviews, this is less about prestige and more about access. It's the right call if you need an affordable, community-based entry point into English or a degree program.

Website +1773-907-4000 Directions

1145 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Midwestern Career College

4.5234 Google reviews

Midwestern Career College is a career-focused college in the Loop offering associate degrees and certifications across allied health, business, IT, and English-language programs. The school leans into hands-on, job-oriented training, and reviewers frequently mention international student support and named advisors helping with paperwork and mock interviews ahead of job searches.

What people praise

Advisors and instructors named individually for job-search and interview prep support
Friendly, supportive environment specifically noted by international students
SQL and IT coursework praised for connecting directly to real-world tech industry use

Worth knowing

One reviewer raised concerns about program accreditation and delayed clinical placements in a specific allied-health track

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume234 · 64th

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown80% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The smallest review count here at 234, but still holding 4.5 stars. Worth checking specific program accreditation directly given the mixed allied-health feedback, but the core career-training model gets real praise.

Website +1312-236-9000 Directions

203 N LaSalle St #1400, Chicago, IL 60601

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How we score

Rating is the live Google average for each college. Review volume shows how many people actually rated them, benchmarked against the other Chicago colleges we looked at. Confidence blends rating and volume, so a strong rating built on over a thousand reviews scores higher than the same rating built on a couple hundred. Recency checks how recently people are still reviewing. No college can pay to change these numbers.

How much does college cost in Chicago? (2026)

Costs vary hugely by institution type: public research universities, private universities, community colleges, and career colleges all sit at very different price points, and in-state versus out-of-state or international status changes the total significantly. We don’t have a verified, cited local pricing source across this mixed group, so we’re not publishing numbers we can’t stand behind.

Serving all of Chicago

These colleges span Chicago’s South Side, Near West Side, Uptown, Rogers Park, and the Loop, giving you options whether you’re searching for a college near downtown Chicago, near the lakefront, or closer to the North Side. Public transit connects most of these campuses directly to the CTA train system.

What to ask before you enroll at a college in Chicago

Is the specific program you want accredited by the relevant national or state body?
What’s the true total cost, including fees, once financial aid or scholarships are applied?
What career services or internship placement support exists after graduation?
How does the campus handle safety, especially for evening classes?
What’s the average class size and how accessible are professors outside class?
Is on-campus or nearby off-campus housing available, and what does it typically cost?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these colleges?

We pulled real Google ratings and review data for colleges across Chicago, then ranked them using a mix of rating, review volume, and how recently people are still reviewing them.

How often is this page updated?

Ratings and review counts were verified in July 2026 and get refreshed periodically as new reviews come in.

What’s the difference between a university and a community college here?

Universities like the University of Chicago and UIC offer full bachelor’s and graduate degrees. Community colleges like Truman focus on associate degrees, GED, and ESL programs, often at a lower cost and with easier admission.

Do any of these serve international students specifically?

Yes. Several, including Midwestern Career College and Truman College, were repeatedly praised by reviewers for international student support, from paperwork help to English-language instruction.

The bottom line

For research depth and reputation, the University of Chicago is the safe default at 4.6 stars and over 1,200 reviews. If your goal is practical, career-connected training instead, Truman College or Midwestern Career College are worth a direct call to confirm program accreditation before you commit.

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