Catholic colleges where the most freshmen return in Illinois
Catholic colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Catholic colleges where the most freshmen return in Illinois4 schools
4 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
How this list is made
- Schools in Illinois.
- Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Faith grade B or better (Faith score 70 or higher). Cost and outcomes never change a grade.
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
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Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DePaul University | $30,902 | $23,168 | $68,751 | 68% |
| Loyola University Chicago | $36,079 | $24,157 | $71,530 | 73% |
| Quincy University | $20,359 | $24,000 | $50,369 | 45% |
| Benedictine University | $22,313 | $22,500 | $63,446 | 50% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.