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2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois

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Colleges by Concentration of International First Year Students

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Rank	Institution	% First Year International Students	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	School of the Art Institute of Chicago	24.4239631336406	76.42	1,080 – 1,240	55485	26742	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL Found in Chicago, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago accepts 76% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in $65 to apply. Approximately 96% of students at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 82%....Read more % First Year International Students 24 14.3% Acceptance Rate 76.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $55,485 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,742
2	Lake Forest College	22.5882352941176	56.81	1,240 – 1,410	29894	51324	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL A liberal arts college, Lake Forest College is located just a half mile from Lake Michigan and 30 miles north of Chicago. With over 30 majors available, many students choose to major in Business/Commerce, General, followed by Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, Finance, General, and Neuroscience....Read more % First Year International Students 23 Acceptance Rate 56.8% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $29,894 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,324
3	Knox College	20.4819277108434	70.79	1,170 – 1,440	25524	37757	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students 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 % First Year International Students 20 12.1% 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	University of Chicago	19.0861769809138	4.48	1,510 – 1,570	27979	80870	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois University of Chicago Chicago, IL The University of Chicago receives 43,600 applications annually and the school is considered extremely selective. It's made up of an undergraduate college and five graduate research divisions. UChicago also has campuses all over the world, from Hong Kong to Paris....Read more % First Year International Students 19 22.0% Acceptance Rate 4.5% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $27,979 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $80,870
5	Augustana College	18.5497470489039	62.77	1,040 – 1,290	24695	49849	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Augustana College Rock Island, IL Found in Rock Island, Augustana College accepted 63% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students at Augustana College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s......Read more % First Year International Students 19 16.7% Acceptance Rate 62.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $24,695 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,849
6	McKendree University	13.7614678899083	63.88	920 – 1,300	25200	49439	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois McKendree University Lebanon, IL Located in Lebanon, McKendree University’s acceptance rate is 64% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 87% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more % First Year International Students 14 6.0% Acceptance Rate 63.9% SAT Score 920 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $25,200 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,439
7	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	13.2492492492492	42.37	1,380 – 1,530	14297	64802	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1, and 71% of students will graduate in 4 years. The most popular major is Business Administration and Management, General. Illinois's motto is "Learning & Labor." % First Year International Students 13 21.0% Acceptance Rate 42.4% SAT Score 1,380 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $14,297 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,802
8	Roosevelt University	12.8547579298831	94.27	900 – 1,130	21503	42896	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Roosevelt University Chicago, IL Located in Chicago, Roosevelt University accepts 94% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $25 to apply. Approximately 99% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. They are given $20,288 on average. 65% of students continued their studies at Roosevelt University after completing their first year....Read more % First Year International Students 13 Acceptance Rate 94.3% SAT Score 900 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $21,503 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,896
9	Northwestern University	10.9421000981354	7.22	1,480 – 1,560	23341	76844	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Northwestern University Evanston, IL A founding member of the Big Ten Conference, top sports for the Wildcats include Football, Basketball, and Swimming and Diving (combined). Willie the Wildcat cheers them on and the colors are purple and white....Read more % First Year International Students 11 7.2% Acceptance Rate 7.2% SAT Score 1,480 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $23,341 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,844
10	Elmhurst University	9.56239870340357	73.57	1,020 – 1,280	22760	52803	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL Found in Elmhurst, Elmhurst University accepts 74% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more % First Year International Students 10 Acceptance Rate 73.6% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $22,760 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,803
11	North Park University	9.34182590233546	72.84	1,010 – 1,210	19910	49326	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois North Park University Chicago, IL Based in Chicago, North Park University accepts 73% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 99% of students attending North Park University currently receive institutional grant aid. At North Park University, there is a 80% first year retention rate and 42% of students will earn their......Read more % First Year International Students 9 Acceptance Rate 72.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $19,910 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,326
12	Illinois Wesleyan University	8.1151832460733	39.31	1,150 – 1,370	31310	56082	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL Based in Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University accepts 39% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 98% of students at Illinois Wesleyan University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more % First Year International Students 8 Acceptance Rate 39.3% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $31,310 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,082
13	National Louis University	7.84810126582278	93.12	850 – 930	15724	43562	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois National Louis University Chicago, IL Located in Chicago, National Louis University accepts 93% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. About 15% of students attending National Louis University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 56% and 19% of students will graduate in four years. The top three......Read more % First Year International Students 8 Acceptance Rate 93.1% SAT Score 850 – 930 Avg. Net Price $15,724 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,562
14	Wheaton College	6.32911392405063	89.98	1,270 – 1,440	31346	50270	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students 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 % First Year International Students 6 0.3% 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
15	University of Illinois Chicago	6.13298902517753	77.35	1,150 – 1,360	11499	53218	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Based in Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago accepts 77% of applicants. They charge $60 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 69% of students at the University of Illinois Chicago currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 80% and around 36% of......Read more % First Year International Students 6 7.7% Acceptance Rate 77.4% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $11,499 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,218
16	Columbia College Chicago	2.80199252801993	75.49	--	29790	32596	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Based in Chicago, Columbia College Chicago accepts 75% of applicants. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending Columbia College Chicago will receive institutional grant aid....Read more % First Year International Students 3 28.4% Acceptance Rate 75.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $29,790 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,596
17	Loyola University Chicago	2.23499361430396	81.6	1,220 – 1,390	37592	58411	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Found in Chicago, Loyola University Chicago accepts 82% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 96% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s first year retention rate is 81% and around 65% of students will graduate in four years or less. The three......Read more % First Year International Students 2 19.4% Acceptance Rate 81.6% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $37,592 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,411
18	Northern Illinois University	1.27049180327869	69.79	960 – 1,180	13533	46113	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Northern Illinois University opened in 1895 as the Northern Illinois State School. The 756-acre campus is home to Altgeld Hall, which looks like a castle. Popular areas of study include Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General. % First Year International Students 1 Acceptance Rate 69.8% SAT Score 960 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,533 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,113
19	Illinois State University	0.771642150952496	88.15	1,010 – 1,220	20871	50599	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by % First Year International Students in Illinois Illinois State University Normal, IL Located in Normal, Illinois State University’s acceptance rate is 88% and charges $55 for undergraduate applications. About 94% of students at Illinois State University will receive grant aid from the school. At Illinois State University, there is a 81% first year retention rate and a 48% four year graduation rate....Read more % First Year International Students 1 12.2% Acceptance Rate 88.2% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $20,871 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,599

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

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