Best Business Programs in Illinois (2026)
A Business degree in Illinois can lead to careers in finance, marketing, operations, consulting, or entrepreneurship. The schools below are ranked by graduate earnings, AACSB accreditation, and net price — because the real ROI varies wildly by school.
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#1
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Net Price
$34,420/yr
Median Earnings
$104,255
Grad Rate
96%
Business Share
3.2%
#2
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL
Net Price
$27,863/yr
Median Earnings
$76,193
Grad Rate
74%
Business Share
29.2%
#3
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Net Price
$13,042/yr
Median Earnings
$87,599
Grad Rate
86%
Business Share
9.5%
#4
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$27,108/yr
Median Earnings
$75,602
Grad Rate
68%
Business Share
29.1%
#5
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
Net Price
$24,987/yr
Median Earnings
$70,470
Grad Rate
75%
Business Share
24.0%
#6
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$36,340/yr
Median Earnings
$78,431
Grad Rate
73%
Business Share
18.9%
#7
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Net Price
$22,469/yr
Median Earnings
$76,013
Grad Rate
75%
Business Share
14.8%
#8
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Net Price
$26,059/yr
Median Earnings
$68,390
Grad Rate
83%
Business Share
11.9%
#9
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$22,443/yr
Median Earnings
$90,804
Grad Rate
73%
Business Share
1.8%
#10
North Park University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$15,949/yr
Median Earnings
$61,717
Grad Rate
55%
Business Share
37.0%
#11
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Net Price
$21,153/yr
Median Earnings
$67,144
Grad Rate
73%
Business Share
18.0%
#12
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Net Price
$22,836/yr
Median Earnings
$65,646
Grad Rate
63%
Business Share
26.5%
#13
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Net Price
$17,829/yr
Median Earnings
$67,557
Grad Rate
66%
Business Share
21.4%
#14
Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL
Net Price
$17,612/yr
Median Earnings
$54,098
Grad Rate
61%
Business Share
33.3%
#15
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$9,540/yr
Median Earnings
$73,666
Grad Rate
62%
Business Share
17.7%
#16
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
Net Price
$23,165/yr
Median Earnings
$67,398
Grad Rate
67%
Business Share
17.5%
#17
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL
Net Price
$15,961/yr
Median Earnings
$69,137
Grad Rate
65%
Business Share
15.6%
#18
Judson University
Elgin, IL
Net Price
$19,224/yr
Median Earnings
$59,095
Grad Rate
46%
Business Share
37.0%
#19
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
Net Price
$19,385/yr
Median Earnings
$64,180
Grad Rate
60%
Business Share
21.5%
#20
McKendree University
Lebanon, IL
Net Price
$18,457/yr
Median Earnings
$63,391
Grad Rate
52%
Business Share
27.9%
#21
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
Net Price
$18,763/yr
Median Earnings
$57,546
Grad Rate
62%
Business Share
24.5%
#22
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Net Price
$14,013/yr
Median Earnings
$66,693
Grad Rate
58%
Business Share
20.5%
#23
Benedictine University
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$18,910/yr
Median Earnings
$67,314
Grad Rate
47%
Business Share
27.1%
#24
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,171/yr
Median Earnings
$64,661
Grad Rate
56%
Business Share
20.3%
#25
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL
Net Price
$15,155/yr
Median Earnings
$60,507
Grad Rate
61%
Business Share
17.2%
Why a Business degree?
Business is the most popular bachelor's major in the U.S. (~20% of all degrees), but graduate outcomes vary by 3-4x depending on school. The right school choice matters more here than in almost any other major.
Common career paths: Financial Analyst · Marketing Manager · Management Consultant · Investment Banker · Operations Manager
Typical starting salary range: $55,000–$95,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in Illinois
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