Education

Enrollment in career and technical education programs at Illinois community  colleges is up nearly 6% this fall, reaching its highest level in nine years as more students turn to career-focused training and education.

CTE enrollment has increased every year since fall 2022, growing 26.1% over that period. The programs now account for 27.7% of all community college enrollment statewide, with 75,208 students pursuing training designed to prepare them for careers in high-demand industries.

Statewide community college enrollment totaled 271,845 students in fall 2026, a slight 0.7% decrease from fall 2025 following four years of growth. Despite the decline, enrollment remains 0.2% above pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the system’s sustained recovery and the enduring demand for accessible, affordable higher education across Illinois.  

For the third consecutive year, public universities in Illinois have seen increased enrollment with more than 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of the 2026-27 academic year. This is the highest enrollment since 2015.

Total student enrollment across Illinois’ 12 public universities increased to 190,114 students, up 287 students from last year.

A recent report from Time Magazine lists the University of Chicago among the world's top universities, ranking above Ivy League schools like Harvard, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania, with five other Illinois schools also appearing on the global list.

The University of Chicago came in at No. 5, followed by Northwestern University at No. 85, University of Illinois Chicago at No. 151, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at No. 235, Illinois Institute of Technology at No. 266, and Southern Illinois University at No. 338.

Time Magazine recently released its “World’s Top Universities” list, ranking the 500 best colleges from around the globe.

Holding the fifth spot on that list is the University of Chicago, following the University of Oxford, Yale University, Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Five other Illinois schools also made the list: Northwestern University (No. 99), University of Illinois Chicago (No. 151), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (No. 235), Illinois Institute of Technology (No. 266) and Southern Illinois University (No. 338).

Four Illinois universities have been ranked among the best in the U.S. according to a new ranking from U.S. News. The 2025 report uses specialized rankings such as the best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as universities with the greatest commitment to undergraduate teaching.

The Illinois schools that ranked highest in the specialty categories included the University of Chicago in 8th place for best value schools, Northwestern University tied for 28th place for most innovative schools, and Wheaton College tied for 52nd place for programs that enhance first-year experiences. When it comes to best colleges for veterans, the University of Chicago ranks first in the country.

The rankings evaluated 1,700 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, U.S. News said in a news release.

Illinois schools in the top 100 were:

6. University of Chicago

7 (tie). Northwestern University

36 (tie). University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

84 (tie). University of Illinois Chicago

These rankings show not just the quality of Illinois higher education but also Illinois’ commitment to ensuring its young people can build a future for themselves.

Read the full list of school rankings at the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings page .