Illinois has nine public universities spread across 12 campuses. Each one of these institutions features a variety of colleges within the university structure. These schools include Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, University of Illinois-Springfield and Western Illinois University.
Illinois has a statewide community college system featuring 48 2-year schools, many of which offer classes at a main campus and at satellite locations. Unlike the 4-year university system, which is funded by state appropriations, tuition and federal grants, these colleges are partially funded by local property taxes. These schools are designed to serve students residing within a particular geographic region. In the central part of the state, for example, Heartland Community College is in the shadow of Illinois State University in Normal. In southern Illinois, community college offerings include Rend Lake Community College, Shawnee Community College and John A. Logan Community College.
In addition to the public college system in Illinois, 97 independent, not-for-profit colleges and universities exist. Examples of these schools include large universities such as Northwestern and smaller colleges such as Illinois College in Jacksonville, Blackburn College in Carlinville and Elmhurst University in Chicago's western suburbs.
The state also has another 35 independent for-profit colleges. These schools often offer intensive, career-oriented studies. Examples of these include Vatterott College in Peoria and Rockford Career College in Rockford.