Best MBA Programs in Illinois

Business administration master’s graduates in Illinois earn a weighted average salary of $103,735 3 years after graduation, placing them in the top 25% nationally.

Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.

Our business administration graduate rankings cover 32 of the 40 programs available in Illinois, accounting for 97% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or debt data.

Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

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20 of 32

#1 in Illinois | #34 in Business schools nationally

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 0.19

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $204,813

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $92,529

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#2 in Illinois | #44 in Business schools nationally
Economic score 0.20

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $125,120

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $37,154

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#3 in Illinois | #70 in Business schools nationally

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Economic score 0.22

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $100,614

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $26,575

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#4 in Illinois | #77 in Business schools nationally
Economic score 0.22

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $111,286

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $32,950

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#5 in Illinois | #107 in Business schools nationally
Economic score 0.24

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $85,417

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $21,230

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#6 in Illinois | #131 in Business schools nationally
Economic score 0.26

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $83,237

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $21,537

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#7 in Illinois | #155 in Business schools nationally

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 0.27

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $125,880

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $52,402

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#8 in Illinois | #170 in Business schools nationally
Economic score 0.28

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $92,203

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $23,515

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#9 in Illinois | #230 in Business schools nationally

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Economic score 0.32

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $217,138

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.8

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $172,164

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#10 in Illinois | #292 in Business schools nationally

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

Economic score 0.37

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $85,474

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $31,918

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#11 in Illinois | #294 in Business schools nationally

Rockford University

Rockford, Illinois

Economic score 0.37

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $92,677

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $32,450

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#12 in Illinois | #304 in Business schools nationally

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Economic score 0.37

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $76,170

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $25,546

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#13 in Illinois | #326 in Business schools nationally

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

Economic score 0.39

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $69,160

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $22,696

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#14 in Illinois | #337 in Business schools nationally

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 0.40

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $117,394

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $59,409

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#15 in Illinois | #367 in Business schools nationally

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Economic score 0.42

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $78,428

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $30,785

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#16 in Illinois | #386 in Business schools nationally

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Economic score 0.44

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $76,080

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $30,750

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#17 in Illinois | #391 in Business schools nationally
Economic score 0.44

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $109,166

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $51,919

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#18 in Illinois | #392 in Business schools nationally

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Economic score 0.44

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $95,557

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#19 in Illinois | #406 in Business schools nationally
Economic score 0.46

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $72,088

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $28,347

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#20 in Illinois | #436 in Business schools nationally

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Economic score 0.49

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $76,268

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $34,166

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

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How long does it take to pay down debt in business administration in Illinois?

Years

Under 6 months

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in business administration is covered by average graduate earnings in under 6 months.

How much do graduates with a master's degree in business administration earn in Illinois?

Salary

$103,735

The median master's degree in business administration graduate earns $103,735 4 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in business administration cost in Illinois?

Net cost

$21,191

The average annual cost of a master's degree in business administration is $21,191. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.

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