Best public colleges in Illinois

College students studying and laughing together.
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- Dekalb, IL
- #341 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Net price: $13,265
- SAT Range: 940-1170
#11. Northern Illinois University
A group of college students having a discussion under a tree on campus.
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- Carbondale, IL
- #323 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Net price: $15,976
- SAT Range: 930-1160
#10. Southern Illinois University Carbondale
A student wearing a backpack holding two books as they walk to a college class.
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- Chicago, IL
- #313 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 48%
- Net price: $4,846
- SAT Range: 750-1030
#9. Chicago State University
College students laughing and having fun at a tailgate party.
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- Edwardsville, IL
- #294 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 98%
- Net price: $15,519
- SAT Range: 920-1160
#8. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Bookshelves forming a hallway in a college library.
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- Charleston, IL
- #279 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 72%
- Net price: $13,669
- SAT Range: 900-1140
#7. Eastern Illinois University
A student taking notes in a library.
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- Normal, IL
- #273 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 92%
- Net price: $21,033
- SAT Range: 1000-1200
#6. Illinois State University
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- Springfield, IL
- #268 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 79%
- Net price: $11,965
- SAT Range: 990-1250
#5. University of Illinois Springfield
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- Macomb, IL
- #231 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 72%
- Net price: $11,666
- SAT Range: 950-1150
#4. Western Illinois University
A group of college students working together on a group project in a library.
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- Chicago, IL
- #201 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 62%
- Net price: $14,133
- SAT Range: 810-1010
#3. Northeastern Illinois University
An empty college classroom.
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- Chicago, IL
- #65 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance rate: 79%
- Net price: $10,725
- SAT Range: 1080-1310
#2. University of Illinois Chicago
A group of college students working on their laptops.
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- Champaign, IL
- #10 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Net price: $14,272
- SAT Range: 1320-1510

This story features data reporting by Emma Rubin, writing by Jeff Inglis, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

#1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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