10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Joliet, IL

Joliet, IL is a suburban city located only 40 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.

Residents of the area are exposed to many benefits that the city can offer, including a high-quality education.

The colleges are committed to providing beneficial experiences for students to use in their respective industries.

Overall, the colleges are widely recognized and are extremely affordable.

Learn.org identifies the 10 best colleges in or near Joliet, IL, and helps inform readers about the benefits a student earns from enrolling in a college in the area.

Featured Colleges In and Near Joliet, IL

The following list contains the three best colleges available in and near Joliet, IL.

1. University of St. Francis

The University of St. Francis is a private, Catholic, non-profit university that offers an endless number of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs.

The school consistently strives for academic excellence and helps prepare students for many different careers.

The college offers four academic colleges:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business and Health Administration
• College of Education
• Leach College of Nursing

The college also has a few notable graduate degree programs, such as:

• Master of Science in Education
• Master of Science in Nursing Administration
• Master of Science in Healthcare Management

The college offers a great mix of both on-campus and online degree programs that have proven to be highly credible.

2. Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College is the nation's first public community college and is located in the south Chicago suburbs.

The college is made up of six campuses and education centers and serves around 27,000 students each year.

Students can select degree programs from nine academic pathways, including areas in:

• Agricultural Sciences
• STEM
• Public Safety and Human Services
• Liberal and Fine Arts
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Students are also given affordable tuition rates along with many different financial help opportunities, such as payment plans and student emergency funds.

3. Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University is another nationwide university that has a campus located in the Joliet area.

The university has over 50 career-focused programs in nursing, business, technology, and much more.

With the majority of the programs delivered online, the college can provide a wide range of programs that cover multiple areas of study, including:

• Computer Science
• Accounting
• Cybersecurity
• Information Technology

The majority of the online programs require students to have prior credits from another institution.

By doing this, the programs are typically finished within 18 months.

4. University of Illinois Chicago

The University of Illinois in Chicago is a public institution founded in 1965. The college has over 30,000 enrolled students and the campus is made up of 244 acres.

The university is a consistently top-ranked college in the state and has a total of 16 academic colleges, including seven health sciences colleges and Chicago's only public law school.

Along with their on-campus programs, the school has more than 45 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs that further promote flexibility and convenience for their online learners.

5. Lewis University

Lewis University is a private university located in Romeoville, IL, which is only seven miles away from Joliet, IL.

The university is a comprehensive, Catholic college that is made up of 410 acres.

The school has a total enrollment of 6,500 students and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1. The degree programs offered are:

• Undergraduate
• Adult Undergraduate
• Graduate
• Online
• Certificates/Non-degree

The college has a diverse student population and is considered to be an affordable institution in the Midwest. Popular majors include:

• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Nursing
• Business Administration

6. North Central College

North Central College is another private institution that is located 25 miles away from the Joliet area. The college was established in 1861 and has a campus of 64 acres.

The college is committed to providing a well-rounded education along with a diverse, inclusive, and globally engaged community. The institution consists of a small community and offers a 12:1 student-faculty ratio.

Popular majors offered by the college include:

• Psychology
• Marketing
• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Finance

7. Benedictine University

Benedictine University is a private university located in Lisle, IL, which ranges from 20 to 30 miles away from Joliet, IL.

The school was founded in 1887 and is made up of 108 acres.

The university offers two different locations:

• Lisle, IL
• Mesa, AZ

The Lisle campus has a total student enrollment of 2,726 and offers 48 majors for students to choose from. The most popular majors are:

• Business, Management, Marketing
• Health Professions
• Psychology
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Homeland Security, Law Enforcement

8. Aurora University

Aurora University is a four-year private, nonprofit university that has more than 6,100 students.

The school offers over 60 undergraduate academic programs for students to choose from.

Along with this, the school offers an endless number of graduate programs for students who wish to continue their education.

Other features of the college are:

• Seven residence halls
• 24 NCAA Division III teams
• Over 50 student organizations and clubs
• Heavy transfer student population

Students are also able to take advantage of many different online programs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels.

9. DeVry University

DeVry University is a nationwide college that provides on-campus and online degree programs.

The Chicago location is a viable choice for residents in Joliet. The campus was founded in 1931 and is known to offer several programs for in-demand fields, such as:

• Accounting
• Business
• Healthcare
• Liberal Arts
• Technology

The programs offered include associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree programs as well as online programs.

The college also has affordable tuition rates and provides numerous financial aid resources, such as:

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Employer Tuition Aassistance
• Military Discounts

10. Moraine Valley Community College

Moraine Valley Community College is dedicated to instilling the knowledge and skills needed for many in-demand careers.

The community college offers more than 130 programs that are capable of teaching students various skill sets.

The college's campus is highly diverse and offers:

• Fine and Performing Arts Center
• Bookstore
• Conference Center
• Student Services Center
• Health and Fitness Center

The campus is a total of 307 acres and has around 19,000 enrolled students. Students who wish to pursue a two-year degree would greatly benefit from this college.

What Is the Biggest School Near Joliet, IL?

The largest college near Joliet, IL is the University of Illinois Chicago.

The college is a public research university with more than 30,000 students enrolled.

The institution is around 244 acres and is 45 miles away from Joliet, IL.

How To Choose the Right College Near Joliet, IL

The area of Joliet, IL has two major colleges that are located directly in the city.

The University of Illinois Chicago is the most well-known college near the Joliet area.

Due to the area, there is a list of important factors that a student should consider when selecting a college. These factors are:

• Location
• Lost of attendance
• Accreditation status
• Degree programs available

When selecting a college, choosing an accredited institution demonstrates that the college meets certain educational standards.

Paying for Your Degree Near Joliet, IL

Applying for financial aid is the most common method to help cover a college degree's costs.

Through the FAFSA application, students can receive federal aid in the forms of:

• Loans
• Grants

Aside from financial aid, students can also apply for scholarships through various organizations as well as participate in both work-study and tuition assistance programs.

For a full list of financial aid resources, students are advised to contact their institution's financial aid office.

Start Your Degree Near Joliet, IL Today

The city of Joliet offers a wide range of colleges and universities that can accommodate students from all stages of life.

If any of these programs resonate with you, please reach out to your program of choice for further assistance on their admission process.