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.
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.
Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Out of the 117 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, DeVry University - Illinois landed the # 2 spot on the list. DeVry University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3,382 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $40,148 in loans while pursuing 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. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,297 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,000 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $576. 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.
Out of the 117 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, DePaul University landed the # 4 spot on the list. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2,267 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from DePaul accumulate an average of $24,047 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 $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. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of Chicago helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Illinois. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,935 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UChicago accumulate an average of $15,217 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 $708. During the early years of their career, UChicago graduates make an average of $62,519 annually. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Illinois State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Normal, Illinois, the large public school handed out 1,478 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,109 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $312, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Illinois State graduates make an average of $44,092 annually. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large public school handed out 1,307 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UIC accumulate an average of $19,801 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 $259 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UIC graduates make an average of $53,836 annually. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,237 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,930 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $652.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. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Northern Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #9 on the list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 943 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,759 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $216. Once they receive their degree, NIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,041 during the early year of their career. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #10, Benedictine University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Lisle, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 611 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,886 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $337. During the early years of their career, Benedictine U graduates make an average of $47,484 annually. 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. This fairly large public school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $221, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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.
Read full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
With a ranking of #12, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Palatine, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 524 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,850 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Harper College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,420 during the early years of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients 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 handed out 508 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,690 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $413. Once they receive their degree, Roosevelt graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,771 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Joliet Junior College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 471 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,642 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Joliet Junior College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,492 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Aurora University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Aurora is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 444 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,543 in loans while pursuing 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. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
Lewis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #16 on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 416 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,413 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $411.After graduating from Lewis, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,984 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #17 on the list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 415 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,044 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Bradley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 407 degrees 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.After graduating from Bradley, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,822 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Illinois list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, the fairly large public school handed out 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. 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. 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 awarded 367 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from COD accumulate an average of $14,650 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from COD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $24,970 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
With a ranking of #21, Elmhurst University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $321. Once they receive their degree, Elmhurst graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,474 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Western Illinois University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 306 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WIU accumulate an average of $28,617 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 $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.
With a ranking of #23, Saint Xavier University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Saint Xavier University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 301 degrees 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 landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in River Forest, Illinois, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 298 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,522 in loans while pursuing 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 landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. NLU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 274 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $28,209 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Around 59% of those degree recipients 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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