Students that are interested in pursuing a degree in business can expect demand for their skillset and are eligible for jobs at companies like Boeing and JPMorgan, as well as local entities in the city of Chicago like Archer Daniels Midland and United Continental Holdings. Locally, prospective students can apply to business schools that offer programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Students need to be well-versed in marketing, accounting, and people management to have success in the field.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that over 285,000 business and financial operations professionals work in the Greater Chicago area with average salaries reaching $82,000 annually. This city is the financial center of the midwest and continues to provide employment opportunities to recent graduates looking to further their experience in the business sector.
University of Chicago offers 16 Business degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 2,290 Business students graduated with students earning 1,374 Master's degrees, 678 Bachelor's degrees, 191 Certificates, and 47 Doctoral degrees.
American InterContinental University System offers 42 Business degree programs. It's a large, private for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 2,776 Business students graduated with students earning 1,047 Bachelor's degrees, 998 Associate's degrees, 643 Master's degrees, 79 Doctoral degrees, and 9 Certificates.
DeVry University-Illinois offers 42 Business degree programs. It's a very large, private for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 4,244 Business students graduated with students earning 1,489 Certificates, 1,182 Master's degrees, 1,077 Bachelor's degrees, and 496 Associate's degrees.
Real-world opportunities meet solid academic preparation at DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business. The school is based in Chicago’s Loop near the heart of the city’s financial district. The university maintains plenty of corporate ties, leading DePaul to rank among the nation’s top 10 for providing students with internship opportunities. Students also are encouraged to expand their horizons in the global marketplace through short-term study abroad trips. Twenty-eight percent of DePaul’s graduating class in 2013 earned a degree in business, making it the school’s most popular major. Academic divisions include accountancy and management information systems, hospitality leadership, economics, finance, marketing, management, and real estate. DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business offers a variety of master’s degree programs (including flexible evening and weekend options) and an executive doctorate in business administration. Of special note are DePaul’s undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurship programs. The annual “Launch DePaul” event gives DePaul students and recent alumni the chance to pitch their business proposals to professional investors, receive expert advice, and compete for cash prizes.
Loyola University Chicago offers 44 Business degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 848 Business students graduated with students earning 514 Bachelor's degrees, 246 Master's degrees, 69 Certificates, and 19 Associate's degrees.
University of Illinois Chicago offers 21 Business degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 1,449 Business students graduated with students earning 993 Bachelor's degrees, 443 Master's degrees, and 13 Doctoral degrees.
Northern Illinois University offers 22 Business degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2024, 715 Business students graduated with students earning 454 Bachelor's degrees, 259 Master's degrees, and 2 Doctoral degrees.
Benedictine University offers 28 Business degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 261 Business students graduated with students earning 129 Bachelor's degrees, 125 Master's degrees, and 7 Doctoral degrees.
Roosevelt University offers 30 Business degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 225 Business students graduated with students earning 116 Master's degrees, 108 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Certificate.
Lake Forest Graduate School of Management offers 4 Business degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 99 Business students graduated with students earning 58 Master's degrees, and 41 Certificates.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Chicago Chicago, IL | 11 : 1 | 18,566 | |
|
American InterContinental University System Chandler, AZ | 152 : 1 | 11,277 | |
|
DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL | 337 : 1 | 31,296 | |
|
DePaul University Chicago, IL | 25 : 1 | 21,210 | |
|
Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL | 20 : 1 | 17,384 | |