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Best Value Business Administration Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Three public universities deliver business administration graduates earning over $47,000 while keeping net costs under $17,000, creating strong return on investment in Illinois. The University of Illinois Chicago stands out with graduates earning $57,318 annually against a $12,313 net cost, while Millikin University offers the lowest net price at $8,837 despite being private. Illinois hosts major corporate headquarters including Boeing, Abbott, and Caterpillar, creating strong demand for management professionals across manufacturing, healthcare, and finance sectors. Graduation rates vary dramatically from Chicago State's 16.9% to UIUC's 84.9%, suggesting program structure significantly impacts student success. The state's MAP Grant program helps reduce costs for qualifying students, making several programs accessible with net prices below $10,000. Northern Illinois University graduates command $51,511 salaries while maintaining moderate debt loads of $21,000, positioning the program among the state's best values.
50
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$43,866
Avg. Program Earnings
54.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $41,193 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $12,313 $57,318 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
3 $8,916 $40,209 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
4 $9,477 $40,855 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
5 $15,201 $63,402 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
6 $12,909 $51,511 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
7 $12,437 $47,148 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
8 $11,592 $41,984 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
9 $10,133 $36,437 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
10 $13,550 $47,260 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
11 $16,177 $47,846 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
12 $13,696 $38,103 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
13 $15,113 $41,007 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
14 $20,152 $54,531 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
15 $18,470 $47,129 $13,546 40.0%
16 $18,370 $46,478 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
17 $18,191 $45,584 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
18 $18,996 $44,711 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
19 $18,992 $42,185 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
20 $19,353 $42,774 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
21 $16,774 $36,848 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
22 $21,063 $45,383 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
23 $25,027 $52,733 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
24 $18,034 $36,560 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
25 $23,529 $45,852 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
26 $23,066 $43,798 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
27 $23,033 $43,240 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
28 $21,539 $39,784 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
29 $24,190 $41,844 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
30 $29,550 $50,356 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
31 $23,572 $39,801 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
32 $22,048 $35,274 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
33 $29,141 $44,468 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
34 $21,814 $33,138 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
35 $30,878 $46,521 $17,488 36.9% 43.0%
36 $35,196 $51,169 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%
37 $26,788 $36,124 $32,520 48.5% 94.8%
38 $21,055 $26,353 $26,100 23.0%
39 $16,157 $12,345 36.9% 92.1%
40 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
41 $17,610 $15,400 58.2%
42 $24,875 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
43 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
44 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
45 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
46 $11,197 $14,700 73.1% 71.4%
47 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
48 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
49 $21,386 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
50 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $48,965 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn $63,402 compared to Chicago State's $36,437, reflecting differences in program reputation, alumni networks, and student preparation. UIUC maintains an 84.9% graduation rate and selective 44.82% acceptance rate, attracting stronger students who secure higher-paying positions. Chicago State's 16.9% graduation rate suggests academic support challenges that may impact career outcomes. The $26,965 earnings difference often justifies UIUC's higher $15,201 net cost for students seeking maximum earning potential.

How do private colleges compete with Illinois public university costs?

Millikin University achieves the lowest net cost at $8,837 through generous financial aid, undercutting most public options despite a $26,892 sticker price. Augustana College delivers strong value with graduates earning $47,148 for a $12,437 net cost, competing directly with public alternatives. Dominican University costs $15,113 net but produces graduates earning $41,007, trailing several public options. Private colleges must offer substantial aid packages to match public university affordability in Illinois.

Does graduation rate correlate with earnings potential in Illinois business programs?

Higher graduation rates generally predict stronger earnings, with UIUC's 84.9% rate corresponding to $63,402 salaries and Augustana's 79.2% rate yielding $47,148 earnings. However, Northern Illinois University breaks this pattern, producing $51,511 earners despite a 49.6% graduation rate. Chicago State and Northeastern Illinois both struggle with sub-17% graduation rates while their graduates earn $36,437 and $47,260 respectively. Program structure and student support services appear more predictive than institutional selectivity alone.

Where do Illinois business graduates find the strongest job markets?

Chicago dominates Illinois employment with major corporations like Boeing, Abbott, and McDonald's requiring business administration talent across finance, operations, and management roles. University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn $57,318 partly due to direct access to this metropolitan job market. Manufacturing centers like Rockford and Peoria, home to Caterpillar and other industrial companies, create demand for operations specialists. Healthcare systems throughout Illinois also recruit management professionals, with graduates earning between $38,103 and $63,402 depending on their program preparation.

What debt levels should students expect from Illinois business programs?

Most Illinois business programs produce graduates with debt between $19,087 and $27,000, representing manageable levels given typical starting salaries. Northeastern Illinois University stands out with just $14,750 average debt while Chicago State creates concerning $30,497 debt loads for graduates earning only $36,437. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign maintains reasonable $19,087 debt despite producing the highest earners at $63,402. Students should target programs where annual starting salary exceeds total debt by at least $10,000 for comfortable repayment.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.