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Cheapest Finance and Financial Management Services Colleges in Illinois

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

Millikin University stands out with the lowest net cost at $8,837 for finance students, despite being a private institution in a state where public options typically cost less. This unusual pricing puts it well below public alternatives like Western Illinois University at $11,592 and Northern Illinois University at $12,909. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates command the highest starting salaries at $71,935, nearly double the $38,289 earned by Quincy University alumni. Illinois finance graduates enter a strong regional job market anchored by Chicago's financial district, home to major trading firms like CME Group and numerous investment banks. The state's MAP Grant program helps bridge affordability gaps, particularly benefiting students at higher-priced private colleges. Graduation rates vary significantly across programs, from Northeastern Illinois University's 16.8% to Augustana College's 79.2%, suggesting very different student populations and support systems. Public universities generally offer better value propositions, with UIC providing solid earnings potential at $50,132 while maintaining reasonable debt levels at $15,000.
30
Programs
$8,837 – $35,196
Net Price Range
$49,495
Avg. Program Earnings
59.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
3 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
4 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
5 $12,437 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
6 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
7 $13,550 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
8 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
9 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
10 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
11 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
12 $16,284 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
13 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
14 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
15 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
16 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
17 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
18 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
19 $18,470 $13,546 40.0%
20 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
21 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
22 $20,152 $20,280 41.0% 88.3%
23 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
24 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
25 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
26 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
27 $27,499 $54,202 70.4% 59.7%
28 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
29 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
30 $35,196 $51,716 76.9% 79.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Millikin University's finance program cost so little compared to other private colleges?

Millikin University offers the lowest net cost at $8,837, significantly below other private institutions like Saint Xavier University at $12,093 and Dominican University at $15,113. This pricing strategy likely reflects generous financial aid packages that bring the actual cost well below the published tuition of $26,892. The school maintains a 59.1% graduation rate and 75.4% acceptance rate, suggesting solid academic standards despite the affordable pricing.

How much do University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign finance graduates typically earn?

UIUC finance graduates earn an average of $71,935 annually, the highest among all Illinois programs in this analysis. This represents nearly an 88% premium over the lowest-earning program at Quincy University, where graduates average $38,289. Despite a net cost of $15,201, UIUC graduates carry manageable debt levels at $19,500, making the return on investment particularly strong for this program.

Is Northeastern Illinois University a good value despite its low graduation rate?

Northeastern Illinois University has the lowest graduation rate at just 16.8%, but offers some financial advantages with a net cost of $13,550 and low debt burden of $11,875. Graduates earn $46,407 annually, which exceeds several programs with higher graduation rates. The low completion rate likely reflects the school's open-access mission serving working students and those requiring developmental coursework.

Does attending a public university guarantee lower costs for finance students in Illinois?

Public universities don't always provide the cheapest option, as demonstrated by Millikin University's $8,837 net cost beating several public alternatives. However, public schools generally offer better value, with UIC providing $50,132 in average earnings for a $12,313 net cost. Western Illinois University and Northern Illinois University both charge around $12,000 net cost while delivering solid earning potential above $40,000 annually.

Where do Illinois finance graduates find the best earning opportunities after college?

Chicago's financial sector provides the strongest earning opportunities, with graduates from programs like UIC and Saint Xavier University benefiting from proximity to major employers. UIC graduates average $50,132 annually, while Saint Xavier graduates earn $44,170, both serving Chicago's job market. The city houses the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, numerous investment firms, and corporate headquarters that actively recruit finance talent from Illinois universities.

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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.