Illinois Colleges Whose Grads Make The Most Money

College is expensive, and many students these days spend their post-grad years paying off student loans. But some colleges offer a better return on investment than others by way of a higher salary. So which schools can help you earn the most money? The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard reveals the Illinois schools whose graduates make the most money.

The numbers are based on the average earnings of students 10 years after they enrolled. Federal officials say the College Scorecard is intended to be a resource for choosing colleges, helping students to broaden their college search and compare their top-choice schools. According to the website, "By using the College Scorecard to compare costs and outcomes with their future degrees, students are better equipped to make these critical life decisions."

College Scorecard also provides each school's annual average cost and its graduation rates. The site allows you to sort the colleges to determine who leads and trails in each of these categories. If you click on a school, you'll also get additional information on the school's population and SAT and ACT scores. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

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Here are the top 10 Illinois schools and their average earning potential, according to College Scorecard:

1. Rush University, Chicago: $73,400
2. Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago: $69,300
3. Northwestern University, Evanston: $64,400
4. University of Chicago: $64,000
5. Saint Anthony College of Nursing, Rockford: $57,600
6. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: $56,600
7. Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington: $54,400
8. Saint Francis Medical College of Nursing, Peoria: $54,200
9. Chamberlain College of Nursing, Addison: $52,500
10. Bradley University, Peoria: $51,400

Find more information on College Scorecard and the average salary at Illinois schools here.

Patch file photo

Tom Davis (Patch Staff) contributed to this article