Illinois has one of the most varied MBA markets in the country. Chicago is home to two schools that appear in almost every global ranking, and the state also has a public flagship, several Jesuit and urban programs, and regional schools that serve working professionals in smaller cities. The top MBA colleges in Illinois do not compete for the same student, and treating them as one ranked list hides that.
This guide groups the top MBA colleges in Illinois by what each does best, so you can match a program to your goals, schedule and budget. For other markets, see our guides to the top MBA colleges in New York and the top engineering colleges in Illinois.
Tuition changes every year and varies by format. Confirm current figures with each school. We describe cost in tiers rather than quoting numbers.
How We Selected the Top MBA Colleges in Illinois
We looked at AACSB accreditation, the range of formats (full-time, evening, weekend, executive and online), employer connections in Illinois, and cost tier. We did not rank in strict order, because the right choice depends on your situation more than on any composite score.
The Chicago Elite Tier
Among the top MBA colleges in Illinois, two private schools sit in a category of their own.
1. University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Known for a flexible curriculum and strength in finance, economics and analytics. Booth offers full-time, evening, weekend and executive formats. Cost sits in the highest tier of US MBAs. Best for: students who want rigorous analytical training and a flexible course structure.
2. Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. Based in Evanston with Chicago evening and weekend options. Known for marketing, general management and a team-based culture. Cost is also in the highest tier. Best for: students who value collaborative learning and a strong general management foundation.
The Public Flagship
3. Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A major public research university program with a widely known fully online MBA, often called the iMBA. The online option is among the more affordable MBAs from a major research university. Best for: working professionals who want a respected brand and lower cost, and who are comfortable with online learning.
Chicago Urban and Mission-Driven Programs
4. Loyola University Chicago, Quinlan School of Business. A Jesuit school with full-time and part-time options and a values-based orientation. Best for: students who want a smaller, mission-driven program in Chicago.
5. DePaul University, Driehaus College of Business (Kellstadt). A large evening and part-time presence in the Loop, with strong ties to Chicago employers. Best for: working professionals who want a downtown evening MBA.
6. University of Illinois Chicago, Liautaud Graduate School of Business. A public urban program with lower cost than its private Chicago peers. Best for: Chicago students who want a public-university price.
7. Illinois Institute of Technology, Stuart School of Business. A technology-oriented Chicago program with finance and analytics strengths. Best for: students who want a technical or quantitative slant.
Regional Programs
8. Northern Illinois University, College of Business. A public program in DeKalb with flexible formats, including online. Best for: students in the northern Illinois region seeking value and flexibility.
9. Southern Illinois University Carbondale, College of Business and Analytics. A public program serving southern Illinois at moderate cost. Best for: students in the south of the state who want an accredited, affordable option.
10. Bradley University, Foster College of Business. A smaller program in Peoria with connections to central Illinois employers. Best for: students who want close faculty contact and a central Illinois network.
How to Choose Among the Top MBA Colleges in Illinois
Four questions narrow the field faster than any ranking.
What do you want the MBA to change? A career switch into finance or consulting points to Booth or Kellogg. Advancement in your current field often needs only an accredited MBA at a reasonable price.
Can you leave work? Full-time programs mean giving up income. Evening, weekend and online programs let you keep earning.
What can you afford without strain? For many people, the public options deliver most of the benefit at far lower cost. A private premium should buy something specific, such as a particular network or curriculum.
Where will you work? Chicago employers recruit from Chicago schools. Regional employers know their regional schools. For the investment logic behind these choices, see our guide to lifelong learning for successful professionals.
How to Verify the Top MBA Colleges in Illinois
Check AACSB status at aacsb.edu. Look up the specific school.
Check state authorization with the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Use a general method. Our guide to how to choose the right online university works for any school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of the top MBA colleges in Illinois is best?
Booth and Kellogg are the most widely recognized, and the right one depends on your goals. Gies offers a strong public option, especially online. The best choice depends on career goals, format and budget.
Can I do an MBA in Illinois while working?
Yes. Booth, Kellogg, Loyola, DePaul and UIC offer evening or weekend options, and Gies and NIU offer online formats. Confirm formats with each school.
Is AACSB accreditation necessary?
It is the specialized business-school standard, and many employers and doctoral programs look for it. Verify it for the specific school.
Is an online MBA from a public university respected?
Employers generally weigh the school’s reputation and accreditation. An online MBA from a well-known accredited public university is widely accepted, but expectations vary by employer.
