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.
#1
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Net Price
$29,167/yr
Median Earnings
$89,363
Grad Rate
96%
Business Share
5.0%
#2
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL
Net Price
$28,199/yr
Median Earnings
$70,871
Grad Rate
78%
Business Share
23.2%
#3
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Net Price
$14,355/yr
Median Earnings
$81,054
Grad Rate
85%
Business Share
9.7%
#4
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$30,902/yr
Median Earnings
$68,751
Grad Rate
69%
Business Share
30.1%
#5
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$36,079/yr
Median Earnings
$71,530
Grad Rate
75%
Business Share
17.6%
#6
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Net Price
$22,736/yr
Median Earnings
$62,971
Grad Rate
76%
Business Share
22.8%
#7
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Net Price
$26,975/yr
Median Earnings
$63,756
Grad Rate
86%
Business Share
10.2%
#8
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
Net Price
$28,673/yr
Median Earnings
$61,825
Grad Rate
74%
Business Share
18.5%
#9
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Net Price
$21,044/yr
Median Earnings
$60,123
Grad Rate
68%
Business Share
24.6%
#10
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Net Price
$22,719/yr
Median Earnings
$66,852
Grad Rate
74%
Business Share
14.3%
#11
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$18,425/yr
Median Earnings
$82,592
Grad Rate
74%
Business Share
2.2%
#12
McKendree University
Lebanon, IL
Net Price
$24,717/yr
Median Earnings
$58,572
Grad Rate
57%
Business Share
33.1%
#13
North Park University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$16,948/yr
Median Earnings
$59,572
Grad Rate
57%
Business Share
31.2%
#14
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Net Price
$19,398/yr
Median Earnings
$62,117
Grad Rate
65%
Business Share
21.6%
#15
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
Net Price
$24,185/yr
Median Earnings
$61,462
Grad Rate
68%
Business Share
20.3%
#16
Benedictine University
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$22,313/yr
Median Earnings
$63,446
Grad Rate
51%
Business Share
31.5%
#17
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
Net Price
$17,028/yr
Median Earnings
$66,099
Grad Rate
65%
Business Share
17.2%
#18
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,974/yr
Median Earnings
$68,740
Grad Rate
61%
Business Share
17.7%
#19
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL
Net Price
$13,006/yr
Median Earnings
$63,926
Grad Rate
66%
Business Share
16.7%
#20
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
Net Price
$18,838/yr
Median Earnings
$58,709
Grad Rate
59%
Business Share
24.6%
#21
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Net Price
$11,745/yr
Median Earnings
$60,327
Grad Rate
59%
Business Share
22.1%
#22
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
Net Price
$18,298/yr
Median Earnings
$52,575
Grad Rate
63%
Business Share
22.6%
#23
Judson University
Elgin, IL
Net Price
$18,558/yr
Median Earnings
$56,313
Grad Rate
56%
Business Share
22.6%
#24
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL
Net Price
$9,833/yr
Median Earnings
$57,103
Grad Rate
57%
Business Share
21.4%
#25
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,970/yr
Median Earnings
$58,656
Grad Rate
58%
Business Share
18.2%
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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