Illinois Institute of Technology Ranking

​Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) is a distinguished private research university in Chicago renowned for its excellence in engineering, science, and technology. It holds a position within the #351–400 in THE Rankings 2025. 

Nationally, U.S News ranks Illinois Tech as the 105th Best National University and 29th Best Value School. 

Notably, this university's Chicago-Kent College of Law is acclaimed for its Trial Advocacy and Intellectual Property Law programs, ranking 9th and 14th, respectively.

Illinois Institute of Technology World Rankings 2024-25

Known for its strong emphasis on innovation, technology, and engineering, the Illinois Institute of Technology has consistently earned solid recognition in prominent rankings such as THE Rankings 2025 (#351-400) and QS Rankings 2025 (#601-610).

Here’s a look at Illinois Tech's rankings over the last five years:

Illinois Institute of Technology's rankings have seen notable shifts across major ranking bodies over the past five years, reflecting both challenges and areas of growth. 

The changing trends can be captured through the following graphical representation:

From a QS ranking of #426 in 2021, the university saw a slight decline, moving to #444 in 2022 and #443 in 2023, maintaining a stable yet competitive placement. However, in 2024, it dropped further to #469 before experiencing a more pronounced dip to the #601–610 range in 2025. 

THE rankings paint a different picture. Illinois Tech was positioned in the #301–350 range in 2021 but then moved to the #351–400 in 2022, a placement it has largely maintained except for a dip into the 401–500 range in 2023. 

The university regained ground in 2024, returning to the #351–400 category, which remains in 2025. This relative stability indicates consistency in performance, particularly in teaching, research, and industry engagement, despite broader global ranking shifts.

Meanwhile, the U.S. News rankings have shown a contrasting trajectory. Illinois Tech was ranked 127th in 2023, followed by a notable improvement to 95th in 2024. However, in 2025, the university saw a slight decline to 105th place. 

Overall, the Illinois Institute of Technology remains a well-regarded institution. While the QS rankings reflect a drop, its steadiness in THE and relative strength in U.S. News suggests a university that remains firm in academic and research performance, even amid increasing global competition.

After reviewing the prominent university rankings, let’s explore the subject-wise rankings of Illinois Tech!

Subject-Wise Ranking of Illinois Institute of Technology

Subject-wise rankings assess academic quality and program reputation, guiding students in making informed decisions about college and programs. 

Illinois Tech remains a well-ranked institution, particularly in engineering and technology disciplines, as it has been ranked #79 in best undergraduate engineering programs according to US News rankings.

Below is a detailed overview of the institute's subject-wise rankings from three of the most prominent ranking bodies: QS, U.S. News, and THE rankings.

QS Subject-Wise Rankings

Illinois excels across a broad range of disciplines in the QS rankings by Subject, often securing positions under 400 in fields like agriculture (#151-200) and engineering (#375).

These rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, and research citations per paper. Here’s some top programs position according to QS rankings:

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

U.S. News Subject-Wise Rankings

As per the US News ranking, Illinois Tech has bagged the top 100 positions under various graduate programs, such as aerospace engineering PG (#37), chemical engineering (#67), and many more. 

These rankings are based on factors such as graduation rates, student debt, and student-faculty ratio. Here’s some top programs position according to US news rankings:

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

Times Higher Education (THE) Subject-Wise Rankings

THE rankings by subject reflect Illinois's dominance across numerous disciplines, maintaining a presence under 400, especially in engineering subjects (#251-300) and computer science (#301=400).

These criteria are based on indicators such as teaching, research, citations, and industry income. Here’s some top programs position according to THE rankings:

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

These rankings reflect Illinois's comprehensive academic excellence, with the university doing well in many high-demand fields.

Now, let’s take a look at how Illinois Tech performs in other diverse rankings.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

​Beyond its top positions in global rankings, Illinois Tech has been recognized in several other prestigious evaluations for 2025, such as in economic diversity and graduate earning prospects, highlighting its multifaceted excellence.

Here are the positions of Illinois Tech in different areas: 

The university's #1 ranking in Illinois and #20 in the U.S. for high earnings and economic mobility underscores its ability to propel graduates into lucrative careers, reinforcing its reputation as a high-ROI institution. 

Similarly, its #2 spot for upward mobility among highly selective private colleges affirms its success in transforming students' financial trajectories.

Illinois Tech's #1 position in Illinois and #37 nationally for 20-year net ROI reflects the long-term financial benefits of education here, further strengthened by its top ranking in occupational earnings power in Chicago.

Beyond financial impact, the university also ranks among the top 68 for campus ethnic diversity, fostering an inclusive environment. Its #29 ranking for best-value schools and #76 in social mobility further solidifies its position as an institution that provides both affordability and strong career prospects.

Now, let’s explore the achievements of Illinois’s students in academics and extracurriculars.

Illinois Institute of Technology: Excellence and Achievements

Illinois Institute of Technology is renowned for its academic excellence, vibrant community, and cultural innovation. The university is notably recognized for its strength in mobility excellence, experimental learning and annual events.

Below is an overview of the university's notable recognitions across various categories:​

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Illinois Tech's commitment to reorganize economic status for students and mobility has earned it significant accolades:​

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Illinois Tech encourages supportive and engaging experimental learning, reflected in the following increase in student enrollment:

Cultural and Creative Excellence

The university's dedication to cultural and architectural enrichment and creative endeavors is evident through various initiatives and annual events:​

These recognitions and initiatives highlight Illinois Tech's holistic approach to education, emphasizing academic excellence, community involvement, and cultural enrichment.

Illinois Institute of Technology: Rankings vs Acceptance Rate

Illinois Tech is recognized for its strong emphasis on engineering, technology, and applied sciences. The university's overall acceptance rate stands at approximately 61%, reflecting a moderately selective admissions process. 

However, specific acceptance rates for individual programs are not publicly disclosed, to have an idea of particular program positions, here's an overview:

While Illinois Tech's overall acceptance rate indicates a selective admissions process, prospective students are encouraged to review specific program requirements and prepare competitive applications to enhance their chances of admission.

Now, let’s check out the methodologies used for rankings.

Ranking Methodologies

QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report are the leading university ranking systems that have become benchmarks for assessing university performance. 

Each ranking focuses on aspects such as academic reputation, research quality, and global outlook to gauge the performance of universities.

Here’s a detailed look at the criteria used for ranking universities.

QS World University Rankings

The QS world ranking emphasizes employer reputation and academic outcomes, obtained from surveys of thousands of educational experts and employers worldwide. It also gives importance to faculty research and international student admissions.

Here are the criteria used in QS World University Rankings.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings focus on research influence, teaching reputation, and staff-to-student ratio. It also emphasizes international diversity and industry income, assessing how well universities collaborate with industries and global academic networks.

Here are the criteria used by THE rankings.

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

This indicator uses unique criteria like first-year retention rates, graduation rates, and student-faculty ratio. Other criteria, such as borrower debt and financial resources, measure how well universities support low-income students. 

Here are the criteria used in U.S. News and World Report Rankings

The above rankings reflect how well a university is positioned to offer quality education and outcomes to students, using indicators like employability and industry applications.

Now, let’s explore how upGrad will help you study at Illinois Tech.

How will upGrad help you?

upGrad supports students and professionals with expert mentorship, industry-relevant courses, and flexible learning for academic and career growth. Bridge courses for specialized programs like Astrophysics will help students prepare for advanced studies.

Additionally, through its study abroad initiatives, upGrad will assist you in the following ways: 

• Expert Mentorship: Guidance from industry professionals and academic experts who provide personalized insights to help you succeed in your field.
• Industry-Relevant Courses: Learn practical, real-world skills through up-to-date courses designed to meet the needs of today's industry trends.
• Flexible Learning Options: Online courses and flexible schedules allow you to balance your education with other commitments.
• Career Support: Receive career coaching, job placement assistance, and networking opportunities to help you land your desired role.

Explore upGrad's 4-year STEM graduate course in the BS Astrophysics, where you will study online at Golden Gate University in your first year. For the remaining years, you will transfer your credits to the USA and study at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago!

Conclusion

Illinois Institute of Technology excels in engineering, technology, and innovation rankings, with strong global recognition in fields like computer science (#301–400) and engineering (#251–300). Its commitment to upward mobility and good ROI reflects its focus on student success, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for profitable careers.

With an acceptance rate of 61%, the admissions process is moderately selective, offering competitive yet accessible opportunities for academically talented students. For prospective students, emphasizing academic excellence and a strong application is key.

To continue its upward trajectory, Illinois Tech should expand research contributions, enhance industry ties, and strengthen its global presence, positioning itself as a leader in technology and innovation.

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