DePaul University is based in the center of downtown Chicago, less than 30 minutes from Des Plaines, and has three campuses --- Loop, Lincoln and Naperville. The Faculty of Music is situated on the Lincoln Campus, and the University offers undergraduate degrees in composition, sound recording technology and music education. Teaching staff in the faculty include members of the Chicago State Symphony Orchestra and the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Students are invited to audition for the university's varied music ensembles, which include a chamber orchestra and a symphony orchestra.
Roosevelt University has two campuses, one in the center of Chicago and another in Schaumberg; both are within easy commuting distance of Des Plaines. They offer undergraduate programs in music education (with concentrations on vocals, piano or chorals), composition, music history and music theory. Every year the department puts on more than 150 free recitals, and students are encouraged to join ensembles; engagement can earn credits. The school has a history dating as far back as 1867, when it was Chicago Music College; it was incorporated into the university in 1954.
The Illinois Institute of Art, located in Schaumberg, is 25 minutes from Des Plaines, and the college offers courses in applied arts, media and design. They run a Bachelor of Arts program in audio production, which is aimed at those students wishing to specialize in the technical aspects of music production. The degree includes teaching on music theory, electronics and recording methods, and students are introduced to how audio is used across mediums. The college was founded in 1916, and was one of the first applied art and design schools in America.
Tribeca Flashpoint College is based right in the center of downtown Chicago. The college offers a recording arts associate program, which combines theoretical, multi-format audio training with on-the-job collaboration and work experience. The course is designed to allow students to develop a portfolio of work while studying for their degree. The faculty has a yearly intake of less than 100 students, and the course includes topics as varied as music production for games and the aesthetics of sound.