(STACKER) - Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.

While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Illinois using 2027 rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Online schools were excluded from the rankings. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Elmhurst University

- Location: Elmhurst, IL
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- SAT Range: 990-1260

DavidPinoPhotography // Shutterstock

#9. Lake Forest College

- Location: Lake Forest, IL
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- SAT Range: 1190-1390

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#8. Illinois Wesleyan University

- Location: Bloomington, IL
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- SAT Range: 1120-1340

alexkich // Shutterstock

#7. Wheaton College - Illinois

- Location: Wheaton, IL
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- SAT Range: 1260-1470

4 PM production // Shutterstock

#6. Moody Bible Institute

- Location: Chicago, IL
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- SAT Range: 990-1200

jakkaje879 // Shutterstock

#5. Illinois Institute of Technology

- Location: Chicago, IL
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- SAT Range: 1180-1440

Motortion Films // Shutterstock

#4. University of Illinois Chicago

- Location: Chicago, IL
- Niche Grade: A
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- SAT Range: 1130-1350

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

- Location: Champaign, IL
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- SAT Range: 1310-1520

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#2. Northwestern University

- Location: Evanston, IL
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 8%
- SAT Range: 1510-1570

Joyseulay // Shutterstock

#1. University of Chicago

- Location: Chicago, IL
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- SAT Range: 1510-1580