AU named a top 10 college in Illinois

Aurora University is achieving top marks in education.

The university earned the #10 spot in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges in Illinois rankings, joining Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and others. This recognition highlights AU's dedication to academic excellence, student success, and expanding access to higher education for learners from all backgrounds.

The U.S. News rankings are among the most widely recognized in higher education, evaluating colleges and universities based on graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student outcomes, social mobility, and peer reputation. AU's placement among Illinois's top 10 reflects strong performance in the areas that matter most to students and families: academic quality, student support, and long-term success after graduation.

AU is especially proud of its national distinction as a Top Performer on Social Mobility (#56), a recognition of the university's impact in helping students from diverse backgrounds achieve their goals. This reflects AU's longstanding mission to welcome new populations of learners and create an inclusive, supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.