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Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois

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2023 Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois

33 Schools Ranked
$45,060 Average Earnings
$21,268 Avg Student Debt

With all the business programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Business Degree Central has created its Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 33 schools in Illinois to see which online programs were the most popular for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
3,382 Total Awards
$48,020 Average Earnings
$40,148 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named DeVry University - Illinois the most popular school in Illinois for business students working on their degree. This large private for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3,382 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $40,148 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $163.After graduating from DeVry University - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,020 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

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#2

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
524 Total Awards
$43,420 Average Earnings
$15,850 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William Rainey Harper College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois list. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 524 students in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from Harper College accumulate an average of $15,850 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Harper College graduates make an average of $43,420 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Read full report on William Rainey Harper College

#3

Western Illinois University

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

Out of the 33 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Illinois University landed the # 3 spot on the list. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 306 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $28,617 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $266. During the early years of their career, WIU graduates make an average of $38,708 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.

Full Western Illinois University Report

#4

McKendree University

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

Out of the 33 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, McKendree University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 252 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

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. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

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380 Total Awards
$42,413 Average Earnings
$23,594 Avg Student Debt

The programs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Illinois. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 380 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $23,594 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $165, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SIUC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,413 during the early year of their career. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

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#6

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
274 Total Awards
$48,291 Average Earnings
$28,209 Avg Student Debt

National Louis University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 274 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from NLU accumulate an average of $28,209 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 $479.After graduating from NLU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,291 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.

Full National Louis University Report

#7

Lewis University

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

Lewis University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Lewis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Romeoville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 416 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from Lewis accumulate an average of $23,413 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 $411 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Lewis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,984 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

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#8

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
1,237 Total Awards
$47,459 Average Earnings
$22,930 Avg Student Debt

Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,237 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,930 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $652. During the early years of their career, Loyola Chicago graduates make an average of $47,459 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

Full Loyola University Chicago Report

#9

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
79 Total Awards
$34,527 Average Earnings
$13,413 Avg Student Debt

Waubonsee Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 79 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $13,413 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Waubonsee graduates make an average of $34,527 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Full Waubonsee Community College Report

#10

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
298 Total Awards
$53,770 Average Earnings
$26,522 Avg Student Debt

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #10 on the list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 298 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,522 in student loans.After graduating from Concordia University, Chicago, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,770 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Report

#11

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
132 Total Awards
$35,570 Average Earnings
$11,636 Avg Student Debt

McHenry County College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois list. Crystal Lake, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 132 students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,636 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MCC graduates make an average of $35,570 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

Full McHenry County College Report

#12

Sauk Valley Community College

Dixon, Illinois
53 Total Awards
$35,929 Average Earnings
$9,330 Avg Student Debt

Sauk Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #12 on the list. Sauk Valley Community College is a public institution located in Dixon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 53 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $9,330 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Sauk Valley Community College graduates make an average of $35,929 annually. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

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36 Total Awards
$26,628 Average Earnings
$18,960 Avg Student Debt

Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College is located in Rockford, Illinois and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College accumulate an average of $18,960 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 $76 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College graduates make an average of $26,628 annually. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Stautzenberger College - Rockford Career College

#13

University of St Francis

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

With a ranking of #13, University of St Francis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 188 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $28,383 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $332 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.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. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.

Full University of St Francis Report

#15

Midwestern Career College

Chicago, Illinois
31 Total Awards
$31,531 Average Earnings
$17,124 Avg Student Debt

Midwestern Career College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the very small private for-profit school handed out 31 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $17,124 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Midwestern Career College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,531 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.

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#16

Heartland Community College

Normal, Illinois
29 Total Awards
$33,516 Average Earnings
$14,312 Avg Student Debt

Heartland Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Heartland Community College is located in Normal, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,312 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Heartland Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,516 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Heartland Community College Report

#17

Southeastern Illinois College

Harrisburg, Illinois
14 Total Awards

Southeastern Illinois College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois ranking. SIC is located in Harrisburg, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

Read full report on Southeastern Illinois College

#17

MacCormac College

Chicago, Illinois
14 Total Awards
$33,062 Average Earnings
$35,327 Avg Student Debt

MacCormac College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois ranking. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 14 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $35,327 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, MacCormac graduates make an average of $33,062 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

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#17

Judson University

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

Judson University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois list. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,525 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Judson graduates make an average of $42,419 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Judson University Report

#20

Highland Community College

Freeport, Illinois
32 Total Awards
$34,169 Average Earnings
$14,039 Avg Student Debt

Highland Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Highland Community College is a small public school situated in Freeport, Illinois. It awarded 32 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $14,039 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Highland Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,169 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

Read full report on Highland Community College

#21

Elmhurst University

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

Elmhurst University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Elmhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 308 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from Elmhurst accumulate an average of $21,567 in student debt by the time they complete 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.After graduating from Elmhurst, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,474 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

Full Elmhurst University Report

#22

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois
72 Total Awards
$20,815 Avg Student Debt

Greenville University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Greenville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 72 students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,815 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.

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#23

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
212 Total Awards
$44,879 Average Earnings
$27,166 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Olivet Nazarene is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 212 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene accumulate an average of $27,166 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 $364. Once they receive their degree, Olivet Nazarene graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,879 during the early year of their career. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Report

#24

Lewis and Clark Community College

Godfrey, Illinois
128 Total Awards
$35,230 Average Earnings
$12,335 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Lewis and Clark Community College is a small public school situated in Godfrey, Illinois. It awarded 128 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,335 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Lewis and Clark Community College graduates make an average of $35,230 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Lewis and Clark Community College

#25

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
194 Total Awards
$49,147 Average Earnings
$26,826 Avg Student Debt

North Park University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #25 on the list. North Park is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 194 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from North Park accumulate an average of $26,826 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $263, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from North Park, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,147 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Read full report on North Park University

Most Popular Online Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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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