History in Illinois 2026

Best Colleges for History in Illinois 2026

History programs in Illinois cultivate research, analysis, and writing skills that transfer to careers in law, policy, journalism, education, and museum curation. Top programs offer archival access and faculty-led research.

We analyzed 53 colleges and universities in Illinois offering History programs, evaluating them on national ranking, acceptance rate, tuition costs, student-to-faculty ratio, and graduation outcomes. Here are the top 10 programs for 2026.

Quick Comparison: Top History Programs in Illinois

Detailed School Profiles

1. University of Illinois at Chicago

Location: Chicago, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 77.4%
• In-State Tuition: $14,338 | Out-of-State: $29,884
• Enrollment: 22,170 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
• Graduation Rate: 62% | Median Earnings (6yr): $39,600
• Average Financial Aid: $12,850

View full University of Illinois at Chicago profile →

2. University of Chicago

Location: Chicago, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 4.5%
• In-State Tuition: $70,662 | Out-of-State: $70,662
• Enrollment: 7,569 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 5:1
• Graduation Rate: 96% | Median Earnings (6yr): $54,300
• Average Financial Aid: $42,732

View full University of Chicago profile →

3. Northwestern University

Location: Evanston, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 7.7%
• In-State Tuition: $68,322 | Out-of-State: $68,322
• Enrollment: 9,201 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
• Graduation Rate: 95% | Median Earnings (6yr): $58,900
• Average Financial Aid: $45,427

View full Northwestern University profile →

4. Illinois Wesleyan University

Location: Bloomington, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 39.3%
• In-State Tuition: $57,704 | Out-of-State: $57,704
• Enrollment: 1,582 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
• Graduation Rate: 75% | Median Earnings (6yr): $41,600
• Average Financial Aid: $27,418

View full Illinois Wesleyan University profile →

5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Location: Champaign, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 42.4%
• In-State Tuition: $16,004 | Out-of-State: $35,124
• Enrollment: 36,258 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
• Graduation Rate: 85% | Median Earnings (6yr): $47,100
• Average Financial Aid: $14,328

View full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign profile →

6. Chicago State University

Location: Chicago, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 43.3%
• In-State Tuition: $12,754 | Out-of-State: $12,754
• Enrollment: 1,384 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
• Graduation Rate: 15% | Median Earnings (6yr): $29,400
• Average Financial Aid: $12,050

View full Chicago State University profile →

7. Judson University

Location: Elgin, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 47.6%
• In-State Tuition: $31,360 | Out-of-State: $31,360
• Enrollment: 708 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
• Graduation Rate: 60% | Median Earnings (6yr): $35,700
• Average Financial Aid: $19,210

View full Judson University profile →

8. Governors State University (GOVST)

Location: University Park, Illinois • Setting: Rural

• Acceptance Rate: 48.3%
• In-State Tuition: $12,004 | Out-of-State: $12,004
• Enrollment: 2,556 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
• Graduation Rate: 22% | Median Earnings (6yr): $37,300
• Average Financial Aid: $9,021

View full Governors State University (GOVST) profile →

9. Quincy University (QU)

Location: Quincy, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 50.9%
• In-State Tuition: $37,140 | Out-of-State: $37,140
• Enrollment: 1,010 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
• Graduation Rate: 45% | Median Earnings (6yr): $32,200
• Average Financial Aid: $21,599

View full Quincy University (QU) profile →

10. MacMurray College

Location: Jacksonville, Illinois • Setting: Urban

• Acceptance Rate: 55%
• In-State Tuition: $26,930 | Out-of-State: $27,710
• Enrollment: 548 students | Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
• Graduation Rate: N/A | Median Earnings (6yr): $29,400
• Average Financial Aid: $19,695

View full MacMurray College profile →

How to Choose the Right History Program in Illinois

Selecting the best History program depends on your career goals, budget, and learning preferences. Here are key factors to evaluate:

• Accreditation: Verify the program holds relevant professional accreditation, which affects both educational quality and career eligibility.
• Career Outcomes: Look at job placement rates, median starting salaries, and employer partnerships. Programs with strong internship pipelines give graduates a significant advantage.
• Faculty Expertise: Schools with lower student-to-faculty ratios and active researchers typically offer more mentorship opportunities and cutting-edge coursework.
• Financial Fit: Compare net price after financial aid, not just sticker price. In-state public universities often deliver excellent value for Illinois residents.
• Campus Resources: Consider research labs, industry connections, career services, and student organizations related to History.

Explore More

Looking for more college comparisons? Check out our College Comparison Tool to evaluate schools side by side, or use our Admissions Calculator to estimate your chances at top History programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best colleges for History in Illinois?
Based on national rankings, acceptance rates, and program quality, the top History programs in Illinois include University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Chicago, and Northwestern University.

How much does a History degree cost in Illinois?
In-state tuition for History programs in Illinois averages around $34,721 per year. Out-of-state students typically pay significantly more. Financial aid can substantially reduce the net cost.

What can I do with a History degree from a Illinois school?
Graduates from Illinois's History programs pursue careers across multiple sectors. The state's economic landscape and industry connections provide graduates with strong networking opportunities and career pathways.