2026 Best Business Schools in Illinois
Looking for the best Business degree programs in Illinois? This list ranks 240 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Business Degree Central analyzed 188 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Business Degree Schools in Illinois
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best Business degree schools in Illinois. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. The median Business program debt is $15,854. See the full University Of Chicago profile
The strong Business programs at Northwestern University earned it the #2 place in Illinois. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. The median Business program debt is $16,616. See the full Northwestern University profile
Out of the 188 schools in Illinois in this year's ranking, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Business student debt is $20,778. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
The strong Business programs at Illinois Wesleyan University earned it the #4 place in Illinois. Based in Bloomington, IL, Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $57,704. Illinois Wesleyan University Business students take on a median of $26,857 in debt. More on Illinois Wesleyan University
Rasmussen College Illinois came in at #5 on this year's Business ranking in Illinois. Based in Rockford, IL, Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,581. Typical Business student debt is $28,798. Read the full report on Rasmussen College Illinois
Augustana College Illinois came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Rock Island, IL, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,598. Augustana College Illinois Business students take on a median of $26,764 in debt. More on Augustana College Illinois
Loyola University Chicago did well this year, earning the #7 position. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical Business student debt is $23,521. Read the full report on Loyola University Chicago
Bradley University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,160. The median Business program debt is $26,380. Get the full Bradley University report
Illinois State University placed #9 among Business schools in Illinois. Set in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. The median Business program debt is $21,896. See the full Illinois State University profile
Illinois Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Typical Business student debt is $26,774. Get the full Illinois Institute Of Technology report
Depaul University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical Business student debt is $25,310. Read the full report on Depaul University
Elmhurst College landed the #12 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Get the full Elmhurst College report
Northern Illinois University placed #13 among Business schools in Illinois. This public school is set in Dekalb, IL. Northern Illinois University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,060. Northern Illinois University Business students take on a median of $25,209 in debt. Get the full Northern Illinois University report
Lewis University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lewis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. The median Business program debt is $24,838. Read the full report on Lewis University
Judson University landed the #15 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Elgin, IL, Judson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Judson University graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,297. Typical Business student debt is $27,685. Read the full report on Judson University
North Central College placed #16 among Business schools in Illinois. Located in Naperville, IL, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. North Central College Business students take on a median of $25,699 in debt. More on North Central College
Trinity Christian College landed the #18 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Palos Heights, IL, Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Graduates carry a median of $28,722 in student loans. See the full Trinity Christian College profile
Mckendree University landed the #19 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Lebanon, IL, Mckendree University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $34,740 in tuition and fees. Typical Business student debt is $24,362. Read more about Mckendree University
Aurora University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit school based in Aurora, IL. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Typical Business student debt is $24,507. Read the full report on Aurora University
Western Illinois University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical Business student debt is $27,639. See the full Western Illinois University profile
University Of St Francis landed the #22 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Francis graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. University Of St Francis Business students take on a median of $25,695 in debt. Get the full University Of St Francis report
University Of Illinois At Chicago did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Read more about University Of Illinois At Chicago
Dominican University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in River Forest, IL, Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. The median Business program debt is $26,236. More on Dominican University
Devry University Illinois landed the #25 spot in Illinois this year. Located in Lisle, IL, Devry University Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Devry University Illinois graduates 18% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Graduates carry a median of $43,684 in student loans. Get the full Devry University Illinois report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #26 spot in Illinois this year. This public school is set in Edwardsville, IL. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Get the full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Business Degree Schools in Illinois
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Benedictine University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Lisle, IL, Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Benedictine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete their Business program here. See the full Benedictine University profile
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #28 among Business schools in Illinois. This public school is set in Springfield, IL. University Of Illinois At Springfield posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical Business student debt is $24,925. Get the full University Of Illinois At Springfield report
National Louis University did well this year, earning the #29 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. About 30% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. The median Business program debt is $29,242. Get the full National Louis University report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #30 spot in Illinois this year. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete their Business program here. Get the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale report
Millikin University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Decatur, IL, Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Millikin University graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Typical Business student debt is $26,036. See the full Millikin University profile
Olivet Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. The median Business program debt is $26,797. Read more about Olivet Nazarene University
Illinois College placed #33 among Business schools in Illinois. Located in Jacksonville, IL, Illinois College is a private not-for-profit institution. Illinois College graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $38,676. Typical Business student debt is $26,922. More on Illinois College
North Park University did well this year, earning the #34 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical Business student debt is $27,360. See the full North Park University profile
Roosevelt University placed #35 among Business schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. About 46% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. See the full Roosevelt University profile
Columbia College Chicago placed #36 among Business schools in Illinois. Located in Chicago, IL, Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,557 to complete their Business program here. Read more about Columbia College Chicago
Eastern Illinois University landed the #37 spot in Illinois this year. Set in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical Business student debt is $24,293. Read more about Eastern Illinois University
Saint Xavier University placed #38 among Business schools in Illinois. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,945. The median Business program debt is $25,735. Read more about Saint Xavier University
Kankakee Community College placed #39 among Business schools in Illinois. Kankakee Community College is a public school based in Kankakee, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete their Business program here. Get the full Kankakee Community College report
Concordia University Chicago came in at #40 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. Concordia University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 36%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Typical Business student debt is $26,956. More on Concordia University Chicago
Quincy University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Based in Quincy, IL, Quincy University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Students from in state pay about $37,140 in tuition and fees. The median Business program debt is $26,691. See the full Quincy University profile
Governors State University placed #42 among Business schools in Illinois. This public school is set in University Park, IL. About 21% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. The median Business program debt is $24,990. More on Governors State University
Trinity International University Illinois ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Trinity International University Illinois is a private not-for-profit school based in Deerfield, IL. About 46% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,320. Graduates carry a median of $26,892 in student loans. Read more about Trinity International University Illinois
Northeastern Illinois University placed #44 among Business schools in Illinois. Based in Chicago, IL, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. More on Northeastern Illinois University
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. This public school is set in Belleville, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Southwestern Illinois College Business students take on a median of $10,388 in debt. Get the full Southwestern Illinois College report
Blackburn College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Carlinville, IL, Blackburn College is a private not-for-profit institution. Blackburn College posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,149. Blackburn College Business students take on a median of $25,255 in debt. See the full Blackburn College profile
Prairie State College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. More on Prairie State College
Midwestern Career College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Midwestern Career College
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #48 among Business schools in Illinois. See the full Lewis And Clark Community College profile
Educators Of Beauty College Of Cosmetology Rockford did well this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Educators Of Beauty College Of Cosmetology Rockford
Institute For Clinical Social Work came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Institute For Clinical Social Work
More Business Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 188 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 240 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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