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2023 Best Business Schools in Illinois

$45,060 Average Earnings
$21,268 Avg Student Debt

Today's business students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Business Degree Central has developed this <nil> ranking.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Business Schools in Illinois

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$62,519 Average Earnings
$15,217 Avg Student Debt

Our rankings named University of Chicago the best school in Illinois for business students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,217 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $708 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UChicago graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,519 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Chicago Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
$69,538 Average Earnings
$19,000 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 46 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the # 2 spot on the list.

Degree recipients from Northwestern accumulate an average of $19,000 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $576, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Northwestern graduates make an average of $69,538 annually.

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$53,270 Average Earnings
$18,891 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great place for business students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,891 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $415, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UIUC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,270 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#4

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois
$43,102 Average Earnings
$23,212 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Illinois Wesleyan University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s list.

On average, students take out $23,212 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $401, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Illinois Wesleyan graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,102 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Illinois Wesleyan University

#5

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
$41,940 Average Earnings
$30,604 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rasmussen University - Illinois. The school came in at #5 on this year’s list.

Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Illinois accumulate an average of $30,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $127 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - Illinois graduates make an average of $41,940 annually.

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#6

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois
$35,627 Average Earnings
$25,410 Avg Student Debt

Augustana College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

On average, students take out $25,410 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $321, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Augustana graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,627 during the early year of their career.

Full Augustana College Report

#7

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$47,459 Average Earnings
$22,930 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,930 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $652 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Loyola Chicago, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,459 during the early years of their career.

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#8

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
$52,822 Average Earnings
$25,068 Avg Student Debt

Bradley University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #8 on the list.

Degree recipients from Bradley accumulate an average of $25,068 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $575, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Bradley graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,822 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
$44,092 Average Earnings
$21,109 Avg Student Debt

Illinois State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,109 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $312. During the early years of their career, Illinois State graduates make an average of $44,092 annually.

Full Illinois State University Report

#10

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, Illinois
$68,021 Average Earnings
$24,232 Avg Student Debt

Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #10 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,232 in student loans.After graduating from Illinois Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $68,021 during the early years of their career.

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#11

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
$49,846 Average Earnings
$24,047 Avg Student Debt

DePaul University landed the #11 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

Degree recipients from DePaul accumulate an average of $24,047 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $517, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DePaul graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,846 during the early year of their career.

Full DePaul University Report

#12

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
$47,474 Average Earnings
$21,567 Avg Student Debt

Elmhurst University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

On average, students take out $21,567 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $321.After graduating from Elmhurst, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,474 during the early years of their career.

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#13

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
$48,041 Average Earnings
$25,759 Avg Student Debt

Northern Illinois University ranked #13 on this year’s list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,759 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $216, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NIU graduates make an average of $48,041 annually.

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#14

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
$48,984 Average Earnings
$23,413 Avg Student Debt

Lewis University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

On average, students take out $23,413 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $411. Once they receive their degree, Lewis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,984 during the early year of their career.

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#15

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois
$42,419 Average Earnings
$24,525 Avg Student Debt

Judson University landed the #15 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

On average, students take out $24,525 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Judson graduates make an average of $42,419 annually.

Read full report on Judson University

#16

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois
$40,224 Average Earnings
$23,457 Avg Student Debt

North Central College landed the #16 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

On average, students take out $23,457 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $330 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from North Central, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,224 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on North Central College

#17

Lincoln College

Lincoln, Illinois
$48,437 Average Earnings
$23,112 Avg Student Debt

Lincoln College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

Degree recipients from Lincoln College accumulate an average of $23,112 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $102. Once they receive their degree, Lincoln College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,437 during the early year of their career.

Full Lincoln College Report

#18

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, Illinois
$43,856 Average Earnings
$29,340 Avg Student Debt

Trinity Christian College ranked #18 on this year’s list.

On average, students take out $29,340 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Trinity Christian graduates make an average of $43,856 annually.

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#19

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
$47,532 Average Earnings
$24,607 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, McKendree University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

Degree recipients from McKendree accumulate an average of $24,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $207, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, McKendree graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,532 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on McKendree University

#20

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
$47,673 Average Earnings
$25,543 Avg Student Debt

Aurora University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

Degree recipients from Aurora accumulate an average of $25,543 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $198, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Aurora, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,673 during the early years of their career.

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#21

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
$38,708 Average Earnings
$28,617 Avg Student Debt

Western Illinois University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,617 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $266 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from WIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,708 during the early years of their career.

Full Western Illinois University Report

#22

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
$60,805 Average Earnings
$28,383 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, University of St Francis did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

On average, students take out $28,383 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $332.After graduating from University of Saint Francis, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,805 during the early years of their career.

Full University of St Francis Report

#23

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
$53,836 Average Earnings
$19,801 Avg Student Debt

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #23 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,801 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $259 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UIC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,836 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Chicago

#24

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
$42,201 Average Earnings
$28,848 Avg Student Debt

Dominican University ranked #24 on this year’s list.

On average, students take out $28,848 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $140.After graduating from Dominican U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,201 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Dominican University

#25

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
$48,020 Average Earnings
$40,148 Avg Student Debt

DeVry University - Illinois came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $40,148 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $163. Once they receive their degree, DeVry University - Illinois graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,020 during the early year of their career.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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