2023 Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois
With all the business programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. 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. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Business Degree Central has developed this Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 117 schools in Illinois to see which ones were the most popular programs for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to be the most popular school for business students in Illinois. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 3,917 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UIUC accumulate an average of $18,891 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 $415 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UIUC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,270 during the early years of their career. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend DeVry University - Illinois. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois list. DeVry University - Illinois is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,382 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $40,148 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 $163 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Northwestern University is a great place for business students. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 3,297 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $576 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northwestern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $69,538 during the early year of their career. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means DePaul University is a great place for business students. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,267 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,047 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $517.After graduating from DePaul, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,846 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Out of the 117 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the # 5 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,935 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,217 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $708.After graduating from UChicago, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,519 during the early years of their career. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Illinois State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,478 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,109 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $312 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Illinois State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,092 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois ranking. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,307 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UIC accumulate an average of $19,801 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $259, assuming you 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. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
Loyola University Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #8 on the list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 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. 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. During the early years of their career, Loyola Chicago graduates make an average of $47,459 annually. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, Northern Illinois University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 943 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,759 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $216.After graduating from NIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,041 during the early years of their career. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
Benedictine University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois list. Benedictine U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lisle, Illinois. It awarded 611 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Benedictine U accumulate an average of $26,886 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $337, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Benedictine U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,484 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois ranking. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 557 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SIUE accumulate an average of $24,579 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 $221. Once they receive their degree, SIUE graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,746 during the early year of their career. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
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William Rainey Harper College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school awarded 524 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,850 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Harper College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,420 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Roosevelt University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 508 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Roosevelt accumulate an average of $26,690 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $413, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Roosevelt graduates make an average of $41,771 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Joliet Junior College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 471 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Joliet Junior College accumulate an average of $13,642 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Joliet Junior College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,492 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Aurora University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Aurora is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 444 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,543 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $198. During the early years of their career, Aurora graduates make an average of $47,673 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
With a ranking of #16, Lewis University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Romeoville, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 416 diplomas to qualifed students 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. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 415 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,044 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Northeastern Illinois University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,833 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Bradley University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 407 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,068 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $575 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bradley graduates make an average of $52,822 annually. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 380 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SIUC accumulate an average of $23,594 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 $165. During the early years of their career, SIUC graduates make an average of $42,413 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
With a ranking of #20, College of DuPage did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the large public school handed out 367 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from COD accumulate an average of $14,650 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, COD graduates make an average of $24,970 annually. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Elmhurst University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois list. Elmhurst is located in Elmhurst, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 308 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,567 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $321 if they 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. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Illinois University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois list. WIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 306 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,617 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $266. Once they receive their degree, WIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,708 during the early year of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Xavier University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 301 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SXU accumulate an average of $26,018 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $186, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SXU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,594 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Concordia University, Chicago ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 298 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Concordia University, Chicago accumulate an average of $26,522 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.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.
National Louis 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. NLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 274 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,209 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $479 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, NLU graduates make an average of $48,291 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
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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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