College research / Rankings

Best Business Colleges in Illinois (2026)

Updated

This page lists 48 schools in Illinois with a reported Business cohort, ordered by the median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing. Northwestern University leads at $108,498 four years after completing.

Across the 38 schools with a reported completion median, earnings range from $108,498 to $46,283, with a median of $65,992.

The group includes 12 public and 36 private nonprofit institutions, with public schools making up 25% of the list. University of Illinois Chicago ranks 17th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

Trinity International University-Illinois posts the lowest average net price at $2,835.

The ranked list

48 schools in list order
RankSchoolMedian Business EarningsAverage net priceNet price, families under $30KAdmission rate
1Northwestern University · Evanston, IL$108,498$29,167$1,7647.7%
Northwestern University reports $108,498 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and admits 8% of applicants.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Human Resources Management and Services (16 graduates)

2University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL$108,113$14,355$2,03842.4%
With a six-year completion rate of 85%, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks 2nd on this list and posts median earnings of $108,113 for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Accounting and Related Services (353 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (301 graduates), Management Information Systems and Services (240 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($119,978), Management Information Systems and Services ($116,339), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($107,904)

3Illinois Wesleyan University · Bloomington, IL$90,710$28,199$17,73239.3%
Illinois Wesleyan University, a private nonprofit university in Bloomington, ranks 3rd on this page and shows an average net price of $28,199.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (37 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (29 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (20 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($101,609), Accounting and Related Services ($97,022)

4Loyola University Chicago · Chicago, IL$89,214$36,079$28,99281.6%
Loyola University Chicago admits 82% of applicants and ranks 4th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 73%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (170 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (146 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (121 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($103,884), Accounting and Related Services ($97,667), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($89,745)

5DePaul University · Chicago, IL$84,984$30,902$27,35975.9%
DePaul University ranks 276th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally and shows an average net price of $30,902.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Finance and Financial Management Services (247 graduates), Marketing (177 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (172 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($94,197), Finance and Financial Management Services ($93,719), Accounting and Related Services ($93,592)

6Augustana College · Rock Island, IL$83,882$22,736$15,78762.7%
Augustana College reports $83,882 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,736.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (51 graduates), Marketing (37 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (31 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($91,143), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($81,562)

7Lake Forest College · Lake Forest, IL$83,289$28,673$19,60556.8%
Lake Forest College ranks 7th on this list and has a six-year completion rate of 78%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (53 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (30 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($98,583), Business/Commerce, General ($74,632)

8Wheaton College · Wheaton, IL$80,258$26,975$20,00187.4%
Wheaton College posts median earnings of $80,258 for its Business graduates four years after completing and admits 87% of applicants.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Managerial Economics (81 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business/Managerial Economics ($80,258)

9Illinois State University · Normal, IL$79,319$19,398$11,56888.2%
Illinois State University, a public university in Normal, reports an average net price of $19,398 and a six-year completion rate of 65%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (243 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (161 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (147 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($95,120), Insurance ($94,124), Construction Management ($91,017)

10University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago, IL$76,859$10,974$7,52977.4%
University of Illinois Chicago ranks 17th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally and shows an average net price of $10,974.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Finance and Financial Management Services (274 graduates), Marketing (163 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (153 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($86,088), Finance and Financial Management Services ($83,218), Marketing ($71,293)

11Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL$76,460$13,391$10,12669.8%
Northern Illinois University reports $76,460 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $13,391.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (149 graduates), Marketing (125 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (122 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($86,511), Accounting and Related Services ($83,573), Marketing ($76,373)

12Elmhurst University · Elmhurst, IL$76,306$24,185$17,89273.6%
Elmhurst University ranks 12th on this list and posts median earnings of $76,306 for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (75 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (39 graduates), Marketing (29 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($79,654), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($76,678), Finance and Financial Management Services ($76,433)

13Benedictine University · Lisle, IL$75,620$22,313$20,16895.2%
Benedictine University reports median earnings of $75,620 for its Business graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $22,313.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (75 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (45 graduates), Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (32 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Human Resources Management and Services ($90,891), Finance and Financial Management Services ($83,914), Accounting and Related Services ($79,917)

14North Central College · Naperville, IL$74,400$21,044$12,50777.3%
With a six-year completion rate of 64%, North Central College ranks 14th on this list and posts an average net price of $12,507 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (43 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (37 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (33 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($81,562), Accounting and Related Services ($78,125), Human Resources Management and Services ($71,555)

15Bradley University · Peoria, IL$72,310$22,719$17,26976.8%
Bradley University, a private nonprofit university in Peoria, admits 77% of applicants and ranks 587th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (53 graduates), Marketing (44 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (38 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($80,877), Finance and Financial Management Services ($77,976), Marketing ($76,255)

16Lewis University · Romeoville, IL$72,140$17,028$10,38271.3%
Lewis University graduates 67% of its students within six years, and its Business graduates earn a median of $72,140 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (99 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (29 graduates), Marketing (25 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Human Resources Management and Services ($76,485), Accounting and Related Services ($72,812), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($71,987)

17Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL$71,276$12,937$6,94171.2%
Western Illinois University reports an average net price of $12,937, and its Business graduates earn a median of $71,276 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (73 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (37 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (19 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Management ($85,974), Accounting and Related Services ($71,059), Human Resources Management and Services ($70,157)

18University of St Francis · Joliet, IL$71,216$13,006$8,54765.3%
University of St Francis ranks 331st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $8,547 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (17 graduates), Marketing (17 graduates), Human Resources Management and Services (16 graduates)

19Millikin University · Decatur, IL$69,111$21,989$18,65966.7%
Millikin University admits 67% of applicants, and its Business graduates earn a median of $69,111 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (36 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (13 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (8 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($71,489), Accounting and Related Services ($60,804)

20Saint Xavier University · Chicago, IL$67,311$10,970$7,57284.3%
Saint Xavier University reports an average net price of $10,970, and its Business graduates earn a median of $67,311 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (72 graduates), Marketing (35 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (27 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($75,180), Accounting and Related Services ($75,023), Business/Commerce, General ($65,447)

21Aurora University · Aurora, IL$67,064$18,838$14,52580.9%
Aurora University graduates 60% of its students within six years, and its Business graduates earn a median of $67,064 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (159 graduates), Marketing (51 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (31 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($74,820), Marketing ($64,813), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($64,446)

22Dominican University · River Forest, IL$66,923$11,745$9,75990.3%
Dominican University ranks 376th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $9,759 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (28 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (28 graduates), Marketing (19 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($77,878), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($66,871), Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations ($47,078)

23Trinity International University-Illinois · Deerfield, IL$66,803$2,835$1,242100.0%
Trinity International University-Illinois reports an average net price of $2,835, and its Business graduates earn a median of $66,803 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (28 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business/Commerce, General ($66,803)

24Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL$66,262$14,889$8,48397.5%
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits 98% of applicants, and its Business graduates earn a median of $66,262 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (300 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (77 graduates), Construction Management (26 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($69,610), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,403)

25Northeastern Illinois University · Chicago, IL$66,004$14,109$13,70974.6%
Northeastern Illinois University reports median earnings of $66,004 for its Business graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 22%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Accounting and Related Services (73 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (60 graduates), Human Resources Management and Services (55 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($69,226), Marketing ($69,011), Accounting and Related Services ($68,328)

26Monmouth College · Monmouth, IL$65,981$17,133$12,48390.9%
A private nonprofit institution in Monmouth, Monmouth College has an average net price of $17,133 and a six-year completion rate of 65%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (37 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (7 graduates)

27Columbia College Chicago · Chicago, IL$65,686$26,598$20,92489.5%
Columbia College Chicago admits 89% of applicants and its Business graduates earn a median of $65,686 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (33 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Marketing ($65,686)

28Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL$65,491$13,297$9,41586.9%
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ranks 28th on this list and carries an average net price of $9,415 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Accounting and Related Services (67 graduates), Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (35 graduates), Marketing (28 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($78,040), Accounting and Related Services ($70,478), Finance and Financial Management Services ($67,349)

29Eastern Illinois University · Charleston, IL$64,976$12,786$9,82865.4%
Graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $64,976 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate stands at 47%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (31 graduates), Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (26 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (22 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($70,704), Accounting and Related Services ($66,840), Marketing ($62,994)

30Roosevelt University · Chicago, IL$63,401$20,194$18,01897.2%
Roosevelt University ranks 30th on this list and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 699th among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (48 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (36 graduates), Hospitality Administration/Management (27 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business/Corporate Communications ($70,005), Finance and Financial Management Services ($69,720), Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($69,382)

31Rockford University · Rockford, IL$63,331$22,436$20,87792.9%
With an admission rate of 93%, Rockford University reports median earnings of $63,331 for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (30 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (9 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($63,331)

32McKendree University · Lebanon, IL$63,265$24,717$21,92871.7%
McKendree University has a six-year completion rate of 53% and an average net price of $21,928 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (58 graduates), Marketing (21 graduates), Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (16 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($69,002), Marketing ($65,696), Human Resources Management and Services ($63,519)

33Judson University · Elgin, IL$63,153$18,558$15,70147.6%
Judson University admits 48% of applicants and its Business graduates earn a median of $63,153 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (57 graduates), Marketing (18 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($63,153)

34Illinois College · Jacksonville, IL$63,028$18,298$12,48778.2%
Illinois College ranks 34th on this list, with median earnings of $63,028 for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (52 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (20 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (15 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($67,982)

35National Louis University · Chicago, IL$62,509$12,641$12,46295.1%
National Louis University holds an Azimuth composite rank of 277th among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally and has an average net price of $12,641.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (77 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (50 graduates), Hospitality Administration/Management (23 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($74,144), Hospitality Administration/Management ($61,413)

36University of Illinois Springfield · Springfield, IL$62,249$9,833$5,77885.9%
University of Illinois Springfield reports an average net price of $5,778 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 53%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (96 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (40 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($64,048), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($61,499)

37North Park University · Chicago, IL$61,958$16,948$14,84568.5%
North Park University reports $61,958 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $16,948.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (95 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($61,958)

38Governors State University · University Park, IL$60,153$12,329$9,56348.3%
A public university in University Park, Governors State University admits 48% of applicants and has a six-year completion rate of 22%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (87 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (48 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($61,223), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($59,562)

39Olivet Nazarene University · Bourbonnais, IL$59,631$20,729$17,23255.9%
Olivet Nazarene University ranks 39th on this list, with $59,631 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $17,232 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (59 graduates), Marketing (21 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (9 graduates)

40Trinity Christian College · Palos Heights, IL$59,195$19,125$12,89184.9%
Trinity Christian College posts a six-year completion rate of 58% and an average net price of $19,125.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (6 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (6 graduates), Marketing (6 graduates)

41Concordia University-Chicago · River Forest, IL$58,276$18,436$16,79592.8%
Concordia University-Chicago admits 93% of applicants and reports an average net price of $16,795 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Human Resources Management and Services (16 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (15 graduates), Marketing (8 graduates)

42Quincy University · Quincy, IL$58,070$20,359$16,50250.9%
Quincy University reports $58,070 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 45%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (24 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (15 graduates), Marketing (11 graduates)

43Eureka College · Eureka, IL$57,983$17,349$13,71185.0%
Eureka College ranks 1123rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $17,349.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (22 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($57,983)

44Illinois Institute of Technology · Chicago, IL$57,960$18,425$12,96454.9%
Illinois Institute of Technology reports $57,960 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and graduates 75% of its students within six years.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (18 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($57,960)

45Greenville University · Greenville, IL$57,461$19,533$19,18197.5%
Greenville University admits 98% of applicants and reports an average net price of $19,181 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (21 graduates), Human Resources Management and Services (17 graduates), Marketing (9 graduates)

46Chicago State University · Chicago, IL$53,181$12,335$9,07343.3%
Chicago State University reports $53,181 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $12,335.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (35 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($53,181)

47East-West University · Chicago, IL$48,943$21,697$19,168Not reported
East-West University reports $48,943 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 16%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (7 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($48,943)

48Blackburn College · Carlinville, IL$46,283$18,460$16,83863.2%
Blackburn College reports $46,283 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $16,838 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (11 graduates)

How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Business graduates four years after completing, highest first. The figure reflects federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 38 schools with a reported completion median. Northwestern University leads at $108,498, just $385 ahead of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at $108,113.