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Cheapest Accounting and Related Services Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Millikin University tops the affordability list for accounting programs in Illinois with a net price of just $8,837, despite being a private institution with a sticker price of $26,892. This creates an unusual situation where a private college costs less out-of-pocket than many public alternatives in the state. The earnings spread across Illinois accounting programs runs from $40,456 to $64,493, with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates commanding the highest salaries. Chicago's position as a major financial center drives strong demand for accounting professionals throughout Illinois, with the city hosting headquarters for major corporations and accounting firms that recruit heavily from state programs. Public universities like UIS and Governors State offer competitive net prices around $9,000, while Northern Illinois University graduates earn $57,318 annually with relatively low debt loads of $15,342.
42
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$51,568
Avg. Program Earnings
56.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

42 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
3 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
4 $11,197 $14,700 73.1% 71.4%
5 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
6 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
7 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
8 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
9 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
10 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
11 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
12 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
13 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
14 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
15 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
16 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
17 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
18 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
19 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
20 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
21 $18,034 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
22 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
23 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
24 $18,470 $13,546 40.0%
25 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
26 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
27 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
28 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
29 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
30 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
31 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
32 $22,048 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
33 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
34 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
35 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
36 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
37 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
38 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
39 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
40 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
41 $30,878 $17,488 36.9% 43.0%
42 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Millikin University the most affordable option despite being private?

Millikin University offers substantial financial aid that reduces the net price to $8,837, even though tuition lists at $26,892. The school maintains a 75.40% acceptance rate and graduates earn $52,607 annually. This combination of generous aid and solid earning potential makes it more affordable than many public alternatives in Illinois.

How much can graduates expect to earn from different Illinois accounting programs?

Graduate earnings vary significantly across Illinois accounting programs, ranging from $40,456 to $64,493 annually. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with $64,493 in graduate earnings, followed by Northern Illinois University at $57,318. Dominican University and Augustana College graduates also perform well, earning over $54,000 annually.

Is attending a public university always cheaper for accounting students in Illinois?

Public universities don't always offer the lowest net costs for Illinois accounting students. While schools like UIS and Governors State have net prices around $9,000, Millikin University's private program costs only $8,837 after aid. The MAP Grant program helps Illinois residents afford both public and private institutions throughout the state.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Illinois accounting programs?

Higher graduation rates don't necessarily mean higher costs among Illinois accounting programs. Hebrew Theological College has a 73.10% graduation rate with an $11,197 net price, while Augustana College achieves 79.20% at $12,437. However, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign combines the highest graduation rate at 84.90% with a moderate $15,201 net cost.

Where do Illinois accounting graduates find the best job opportunities?

Chicago anchors Illinois' accounting job market as a major financial center with numerous corporate headquarters and accounting firms. The city's finance and healthcare sectors create steady demand for accounting professionals from Illinois programs. Manufacturing industries throughout the state also provide accounting opportunities, particularly for graduates from regional universities like Western Illinois and Southern Illinois.

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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.