Program directory
Men's Lacrosse Colleges in Illinois
There are 12 college men's lacrosse programs in Illinois, spread across 5 conferences. Published admit rates run from 39 percent at Illinois Wesleyan University to 95 percent at Benedictine University. College of DuPage is the largest school on the list with 16,114 undergraduates. Every program is listed below with location, conference, and admissions data.
| School | Location | Division | Conference | Admit rate | SAT range | Undergrads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | D2 | Great Lakes Valley Conference | 71% | 960-1,210 | 4,015 |
| Quincy University | Quincy, IL | D2 | Great Lakes Valley Conference | 51% | 1,000-1,200 | 1,010 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | D3 | College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin | 63% | 1,030-1,270 | 2,490 |
| Aurora University | Aurora, IL | D3 | Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference | 81% | 900-1,150 | 3,974 |
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | D3 | Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference | 95% | 1,050-1,280 | 1,942 |
| Concordia University Chicago | River Forest, IL | D3 | Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference | 93% | 990-1,180 | 1,323 |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | D3 | College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin | 74% | 990-1,260 | 3,006 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | D3 | Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference | 55% | 1,180-1,440 | 2,833 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL | D3 | College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin | 39% | 1,120-1,340 | 1,582 |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | D3 | Midwest Lacrosse Conference | 57% | 1,190-1,393 | 1,813 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | D3 | College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin | 77% | 1,055-1,310 | 2,428 |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | JUCO | Region 4 | Not reported | Not reported | 16,114 |
Admissions data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2020 to 2023. "Not reported" means the school does not publish that figure; junior colleges are typically open enrollment.
What these numbers say about this list
Across the 12 college men's lacrosse programs in Illinois, the median published admit rate is 71 percent. The most selective is Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington at 39 percent, and the most accessible is Benedictine University at 95 percent. The highest test band belongs to Illinois Institute of Technology, where the middle 50 percent of admitted students score 1,180 to 1,440 on the SAT. School size spans 1,010 undergraduates at Quincy University to 16,114 at College of DuPage, which changes campus life far more than the lacrosse does. The biggest single cluster is the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with 4 of the 12 programs. 4 of the 12 sit in our highest academic tier, worth knowing if you are stacking academic money on top of a roster spot. Admissions figures cover 11 of the 12 programs; the rest do not report to the College Scorecard.
How to use this list
A target list works best when it spans levels. Pick a handful of programs where you would be one of the stronger recruits, a group where you fit the current roster, and a few reaches. Use the admit rate and SAT columns the same way: schools admitting above 71 percent with a test band at or below your score are academic safeties, and the single-digit schools are reaches no matter how good your film is.
Not sure what to write? Read the guide to emailing a college lacrosse coach, or check when coaches are allowed to contact you.
Common questions
How many college men's lacrosse programs are there in Illinois?
12, across 5 conferences. That count spans every level with a program in the state, from Division I to junior college where present.
What is the hardest college men's lacrosse school to get into in Illinois?
Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington is the most selective on this list, admitting 39 percent of applicants with a middle 50 percent SAT range of 1,120 to 1,340. Coach support can matter in admissions there, which is exactly why you email early.
What is the biggest school with men's lacrosse in Illinois?
College of DuPage is the largest school on this list with 16,114 undergraduates, while Quincy University is the smallest at 1,010. Size shapes everything from class sizes to game-day atmosphere, so weigh it alongside the lacrosse fit.