Most Educated in Illinois

Top 100 cities ranked by most educated

Best Cities For...

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics — 5 topics across U.S. Census, FBI, NOAA and CDC data.

Best Cities for Retirees

Low crime, warm climate, affordable cost of living and strong healthcare access.

Best Cities for Remote Workers

Strong broadband, affordable rent, low traffic and existing remote-work culture.

Best Cities for Families

Strong schools, low crime, affordable homes and family-friendly commutes.

Best Cities for Young Professionals

High incomes, educated peers, transit access and an under-35 demographic.

Most Affordable Cities

The lowest cost of living across home prices, rent, services and rent burden.

Population & Density

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense

Economy

Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Wages Cheapest Cost of Living

Housing

Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Highest Homeownership Newest Housing Lowest Property Tax

Demographics & Education

Most Educated Best Schools Most Graduate Degrees Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Most Veterans

Health & Safety

Safest Cities Highest Crime Healthiest Cities Lowest Smoking Best Doctor Access Best Dental Access

Climate & Air

Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities Sunniest Cities Snowiest Cities Cleanest Air Worst Air Quality

Quality of Life

Shortest Commute Most Work From Home

Civic & Politics

Most Republican Most Democratic

Geography & Infrastructure

Highest Elevation Best Broadband Most EV Stations Most Libraries Most Restaurants

All Countries · United States · Illinois

Most Educated — Illinois

1 Glencoe 88.2%

2 Winnetka 87.3%

3 Wilmette 84.6%

4 Deerfield 82.7%

5 Western Springs 82.0%

6 Lake Bluff 81.8%

7 Northfield 81.7%

8 Hinsdale 81.3%

9 Lake Forest 80.8%

10 Clarendon Hills 77.4%

11 Lincolnshire 76.7%

12 Hawthorn Woods 76.3%

13 Highland Park 76.1%

14 Long Grove 73.8%

15 River Forest 73.4%

16 Northbrook 73.1%

17 Barrington 72.6%

18 Oak Park 72.5%

19 Naperville 71.7%

20 Libertyville 71.5%

21 South Barrington 71.4%

22 Evanston 70.3%

23 Riverside 69.8%

24 Burr Ridge 69.2%

25 Inverness 68.8%

26 Glen Ellyn 68.3%

27 Glenview 68.1%

28 Oak Brook 67.1%

29 Flossmoor 67.0%

30 Buffalo Grove 66.6%

31 Vernon Hills 66.6%

32 La Grange 65.5%

33 Park Ridge 65.1%

34 Wheaton 64.1%

35 Geneva 63.8%

36 Elmhurst 63.0%

37 Lisle 62.4%

38 Lake Barrington 62.3%

39 Lake Zurich 61.2%

40 Arlington Heights 60.2%

41 Winfield 59.9%

42 La Grange Park 59.7%

43 Frankfort 59.2%

44 Grandwood Park 59.1%

45 Grayslake 59.1%

46 Savoy 58.8%

47 Downers Grove 58.8%

48 Urbana 58.4%

49 Campton Hills 57.7%

50 Lincolnwood 56.8%

51 Batavia 55.1%

52 Plainfield 54.9%

53 Gurnee 54.4%

54 Edwardsville 54.3%

55 Champaign 53.6%

56 Itasca 53.1%

57 Mahomet 52.8%

58 Elburn 52.6%

59 Normal 52.5%

60 Morton Grove 52.1%

61 Glen Carbon 51.9%

62 Darien 51.7%

63 O'Fallon 51.3%

64 St. Charles 51.2%

65 Columbia 51.0%

66 Skokie 50.8%

67 Schaumburg 50.6%

68 Carterville 50.3%

69 Palatine 49.8%

70 Forest Park 49.8%

71 Chatham 49.4%

72 Westmont 49.3%

73 Lombard 49.2%

74 Bloomington 48.9%

75 Gilberts 48.7%

76 Mount Prospect 48.6%

77 Lake Villa 48.6%

78 Bartlett 48.5%

79 Hoffman Estates 46.9%

80 Volo 46.6%

81 Maryville 46.5%

82 Carbondale 46.3%

83 Homewood 46.1%

84 Woodridge 46.1%

85 West Dundee 45.8%

86 Westchester 45.7%

87 Lemont 45.6%

88 New Lenox 45.5%

89 Troy 45.5%

90 Cary 45.5%

91 Orland Park 45.0%

92 Pingree Grove 44.7%

93 Mokena 44.5%

94 Lockport 44.4%

95 Lindenhurst 44.1%

96 Carol Stream 43.8%

97 Washington 43.8%

98 Bloomingdale 43.7%

99 Sycamore 43.6%

100 Algonquin 43.6%

The most educated cities in Illinois have the highest percentages of residents with bachelor's degrees or higher. Glencoe leads with 88.2% of residents holding a bachelor's degree.

High education levels typically correlate with higher incomes, lower unemployment, better health outcomes, and more civic engagement. These cities often host or are adjacent to major universities and research institutions that drive both education and economic development.

Highly educated communities tend to attract knowledge-based industries and employers in technology, healthcare, finance, and professional services, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of educational attainment and economic opportunity.

Did You Know?

1. In Glencoe, 88.2% of residents have a bachelor's degree — more than double the national average of about 33%.
2. Cities near major research universities consistently rank among the most educated in the country.
3. Higher education rates correlate with higher incomes, lower crime, and better health outcomes across communities.

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