2026 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois

About

College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 5,000 applications a year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled.
Have an acceptance rate higher than 10%.
Have 5 or more unique majors.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Wheaton College	89.98	1,270 – 1,440	31346	50270	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois Wheaton College Wheaton, IL Wheaton College was founded by evangelical abolitionists in 1860 and would become a stop on the Underground Railroad. Business/Managerial Economics is the most popular major....Read more Acceptance Rate 90.0% SAT Score 1,270 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $31,346 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,270
2	Principia College	42.99	1,060 – 1,250	14904	63721	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois Principia College Elsah, IL Principia College offers up to Bachelor's degrees. Found on the Mississippi River, part of the campus is named a National Historic Landmark District. Class sizes are extremely small, with an average 6 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. 82% of students stay on after the first year and 86% graduate within six years. Acceptance Rate 43.0% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $14,904 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
3	Knox College	70.79	1,170 – 1,440	25524	37757	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois Knox College Galesburg, IL Knox College got its start as the Knox Manual Labor College when founded in 1837 by abolitionists – it would go on to play a role in the Underground Railroad. Students can earn up to Bachelor's degrees, and they follow a quarter academic calendar....Read more Acceptance Rate 70.8% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $25,524 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,757
4	North Central College	77.33	1,090 – 1,320	24190	51762	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois North Central College Naperville, IL North Central College started as Plainfield College in 1861, receiving its current name in 1926 and acquiring Shimer College in 2017. It’s affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and it’s motto is “Lux Veritas” – or “Light of Truth.” 795 athletes are known as the Cardinals and are cheered on by Chippy the Cardinal. Acceptance Rate 77.3% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $24,190 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,762
5	Trinity Christian College	88.65	950 – 1,180	17218	48107	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL Trinity Christian College is interdenominational and students can pursue up to Post-master's certificates. Participating in the NAIA Division I Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, student-athletes are known as the Trolls. Popular sports include Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball....Read more Acceptance Rate 88.7% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $17,218 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,107
6	Illinois College	78.19	910 – 1,200	17255	40110	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois Illinois College Jacksonville, IL Founded in 1829, Illinois College is the second oldest college in the state. 100% of enrolled students receive grant aid to help offset the cost of attendance, with each package averaging $30,139....Read more Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 910 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $17,255 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,110
7	Judson University	62.4	910 – 1,190	21331	45374	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois Judson University Elgin, IL Based in Elgin, Judson University accepted 62% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 94% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 62.4% SAT Score 910 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $21,331 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,374
8	University of Illinois Springfield	84.37	1,040 – 1,240	9241	47432	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL The University of Illinois Springfield is one of three in the University of Illinois system and is located in the state's capitol city. U of I offers 46 degree programs with Computer Science, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, and General being the most sought after....Read more Acceptance Rate 84.4% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $9,241 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,432
9	Monmouth College	86.6	1,050 – 1,250	19088	43158	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois Monmouth College Monmouth, IL Found in Monmouth, Monmouth College accepts 87% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 73% and around 50% of students will graduate within four years. Business......Read more Acceptance Rate 86.6% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $19,088 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,158
10	University of St Francis	65.3	900 – 1,160	16455	56648	#10 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Illinois University of St Francis Joliet, IL Based in Joliet, the University of St Francis’s acceptance rate is 65% and requests $20 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of students attending the University of St Francis will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of St Francis, there is a 79% first year retention rate and 40% of......Read more Acceptance Rate 65.3% SAT Score 900 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $16,455 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,648