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Most Popular Business Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Business Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

96 Schools Ranked
$24,846 Avg Student Debt

There are so many business programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Business Degree Central has developed this Most Popular Business Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 96 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular graduate certificate programs for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
701 Total Awards
$17,552 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named DeVry University - Illinois the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for business students working on their graduate certificate. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 701 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DeVry University - Illinois does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 97% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
198 Total Awards
$63,936 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Chicago is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 198 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on University of Chicago

165 Total Awards
$14,902 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,388 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 165 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Graduate Certificate recipients from UC accumulate an average of $21,388 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#4

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
97 Total Awards
$12,175 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Wisconsin - Madison is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 97 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.

UW - Madison does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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#5

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
89 Total Awards
$11,329 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Indiana University - Bloomington is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, the large public school awarded 89 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at IU Bloomington. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#6

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
86 Total Awards
$19,894 Average Tuition & Fees

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 86 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

Loyola Chicago does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Loyola University Chicago

#7

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana
76 Total Awards
$12,220 Average Tuition & Fees

Valparaiso University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Valpo is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valparaiso, Indiana. It awarded 76 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Valpo. During the 2019-2020 year, about 61% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Valparaiso University

#8

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
75 Total Awards
$15,644 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, the fairly large public school handed out 75 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Michigan does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Central Michigan University Report

#9

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
74 Total Awards
$9,530 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,486 Avg Student Debt

Purdue University Global came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large public school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 74 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $33,486 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Purdue University Global are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Purdue University Global Report

#10

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
63 Total Awards
$9,773 Average Tuition & Fees

Illinois State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 63 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.

Illinois State does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Illinois State University

#11

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
59 Total Awards
$17,208 Average Tuition & Fees

Davenport University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. Davenport University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 59 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Davenport University. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Davenport University Report

56 Total Awards
$12,425 Average Tuition & Fees

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.

Ohio State does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Report

39 Total Awards
$10,389 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school handed out 39 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at IUPUI. During the 2019-2020 year, about 71% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#14

Indiana Institute of Technology

Fort Wayne, Indiana
38 Total Awards

Indiana Institute of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 38 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.

Indiana Tech is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

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38 Total Awards
$14,949 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and it awarded 38 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Wright Graduate University are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

#16

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
32 Total Awards
$10,144 Average Tuition & Fees

Ball State University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. Ball State is located in Muncie, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ball State does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Ball State University

#17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
30 Total Awards
$25,230 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,014 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 30 students in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from U-M accumulate an average of $20,014 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at U-M. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#18

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
28 Total Awards
$56,567 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,679 Avg Student Debt

Northwestern University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. Located in Evanston, Illinois, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 28 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $21,679 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Northwestern does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 2% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Northwestern University

#19

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
25 Total Awards
$13,839 Average Tuition & Fees

University of St Francis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. University of Saint Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at University of Saint Francis, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of St Francis Report

#19

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
25 Total Awards
$16,672 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern Michigan University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. This fairly large public school is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and it awarded 25 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Eastern Michigan, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Eastern Michigan University Report

#21

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
24 Total Awards
$12,182 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Illinois University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. Located in Macomb, Illinois, the medium-sized public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.

WIU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#21

Madonna University

Livonia, Michigan
24 Total Awards

Madonna University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Business Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Madonna is located in Livonia, Michigan and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Madonna does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 69% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Madonna University Report

24 Total Awards
$28,259 Avg Student Debt

Wright State University - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 24 students in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Wright State University - Main Campus accumulate an average of $28,259 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

Wright State University - Main Campus does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Wright State University - Main Campus

#21

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin
24 Total Awards
$9,307 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at UW - Whitewater, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#25

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
23 Total Awards
$9,378 Average Tuition & Fees

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 23 students in 2020-2021.

Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Concordia University, Chicago. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Report

View Most Popular Business Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

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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