The Best Bachelor's in Accounting Programs in Illinois for 2027

Loyola University Chicago offers a BBA in Accounting through its Quinlan School of Business. The school says the program prepares students for the CPA, CMA, CFM and CIA examinations, and reports that its Accounting and Business Law department holds AACSB accreditation. The school also cites U.S. News & World Report, 2026, as ranking the program in the national top 25. Coursework covers strategic cost management, financial management, auditing and business risk, and legal and regulatory knowledge. Highlights include internships, the Beta Alpha Psi honor organization, an Accounting Departmental Honors Program, scholarships for declared majors and moderate-sized classes. Students can also consider a BBA in Accounting and Analytics or a BBA/Master of Science in Accountancy, which the school says can add a graduate degree in as little as one more year.

Federally, Loyola graduates 73% of its students and admits 82% of applicants. Tuition is $52,230 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program's Program Score is 85.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking on this site. It fits students who want a city campus, a path to several professional credentials and the option of a fast combined graduate degree, and who are prepared to review financial aid at a private university.

Augustana College offers a major and minor in accounting. Majors take a core group of accounting courses and then shape the rest of their curriculum around career goals, and most students double major in a field such as business administration or Spanish for professional use. The college says its students earn internships with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and that Big Four firms and Deere and Company, whose headquarters is less than 15 minutes from campus, recruit its graduates. Students can serve through the VITA tax program and run audit projects for local organizations. For CPA candidates, the Accounting Extended Learning Program offers coursework beyond the major at discounted tuition to reach 150 credit hours.

The college graduates 73% of its students and admits 63% of applicants. In-state tuition is $51,438, identical to out-of-state. The program scores 85 out of 100 on the Program Score, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a liberal arts education alongside accounting and plan to sit for the CPA exam.

Bradley University houses its accounting program in the Accounting Department, which offers a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and an accounting minor. The department says students learn to analyze financial systems and manage audits and taxes, and prepare for CPA licensure through hands-on internships, faculty mentorship and professional networking. It reports an AACSB-accredited program and describes one of the top CPA exam pass rates in Illinois. Its stated mission centers on experiential programs taught by faculty who are scholars and professionals, close student and faculty interaction, and a commitment to professional ethics. The department also maintains relationships with alumni and with community, business and government professionals.

Bradley graduates 76% of its students and admits 77% of applicants. In-state tuition is $41,210, and out-of-state tuition is the same. The program earns a Program Score of 83.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a CPA-oriented degree at a private university where the same department also offers a graduate accounting degree, so students can stay on one campus if they continue to a graduate degree.

Northern Illinois University offers a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy through its College of Business and Department of Accountancy and Finance. The page emphasizes small class sizes, an accountancy career fair and an internship program, and lists employers where graduates work, including KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, EY, Crowe, RSM and BDO. Students can earn an Endorsed Internal Audit Certificate during the degree, since NIU is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors' Internal Auditing Education Partnership. Any admitted student can declare accountancy, but retention requirements apply before 300- and 400-level courses: a 3.00 cumulative GPA and a B in ACCY 206, or a passing score on the Accountancy Qualifying Exam. Graduate options include the Master of Accountancy and Master of Accounting Science.

NIU graduates 49% of its students and admits 70% of applicants. In-state tuition is $10,232, and out-of-state tuition is the same $10,232. The program has a Program Score of 80.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It is a fit for students who want a public-university accounting degree at a low price and can meet the retention bar for upper-level courses. The internal audit certificate and the path into NIU's master's programs suit those who plan to continue.

Elmhurst University's School of Business offers a four-year Major in Accounting that requires the business Core Curriculum plus seven accounting courses: Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting, Business Law, Accounting Information Systems, Income Taxation I and Auditing. The undergraduate program totals 128 semester hours, and students must earn a minimum grade of C in the required courses. Because candidates need 150 semester hours of college credit to sit for the CPA examination, the school explains how to add courses after the four-year plan, and students are advised to work with an advisor on the best set. The CPA additional requirements of two semester hours of business communications and three of business ethics can be completed at Elmhurst. Recommended electives include Corporate Finance, Business Ethics and Intercultural Communication.

Elmhurst graduates about 70% of its students and admits about 74% of applicants. Tuition is $42,495 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program's Program Score is 80.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who already know they want a CPA license and want a clear course map for the 150-hour requirement at a small private university with roughly 4,000 students.

The University of St. Francis offers a BBA in Accounting & Business Analysis, and the school reports that the accounting program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, alongside the university's Higher Learning Commission accreditation. Students learn to measure, process and communicate financial information and to use the software that captures and analyzes it. Through the 3 to Degree program, seniors can take nine graduate-level credit hours across their last two semesters for dual credit, and a full-time student could finish an MBA or M.S. one year after graduating. The page lists a minor in accounting and describes paths in business and industry, education, government, not-for-profit and public accounting. Internships and professional organizations are part of the experience.

St. Francis graduates 67% of its students and admits 65% of applicants. In-state tuition is $38,110, and out-of-state tuition is the same $38,110. The program has a Program Score of 80.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The school offers it online, and it suits students who may want a graduate degree soon after the bachelor's, since the dual-credit option shortens that route. The ACBSP accreditation is a point for those weighing business-school credentials.

Illinois State University offers an Accounting - Business Analytics sequence within its accounting major, housed in the Department of Accounting in the College of Business in Normal. The school says the sequence gives entry-level accountants the information systems and technology skills required for the department's separate accreditation by AACSB, and prepares them to be critical business users of information technology in an analytics setting and evaluators of information systems. The page calls analytics the fastest growing area in organizations and says students with an analytics background come out with the highest salaries for their first jobs, which are the school's own claims. It links to course requirements, sample plans of study, faculty and careers, and offers in-person and virtual campus visits.

Federal data show a 65% graduation rate and an 88% admit rate for Illinois State. Tuition is $11,215 for in-state students and $22,863 for out-of-state students. The program earns a Program Score of 79.1 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want an accounting degree with a technology and data emphasis, plan to work in a setting where systems knowledge matters, and want a public university price, especially if they live in Illinois. Check the catalog for the specific credit and CPA coursework requirements.

Blackburn College offers an accounting major within its business program. The page describes training in building and maintaining an accounting system under generally accepted accounting principles, along with auditing, taxes and accounting information systems. Students use spreadsheets and accounting software to prepare budgets and financial statement analysis, and they present results in writing and orally. Courses include Financial Reporting, Managerial and Cost Accounting, Federal Taxation, Auditing and Accounting Information Systems. Business students also take part in labor negotiations day and field trips, and study economics, marketing, management and finance. Through the college Work Program, accounting students gain experience in the accounts receivable and accounts payable departments of the Business Office, and some positions in Institutional Advancement also use accounting skills.

Blackburn graduates 57% of its students and admits 63% of applicants. In-state tuition is $28,149, and out-of-state tuition is the same. The program earns a Program Score of 76.1 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a very small campus of about 513 students and paid, on-campus accounting work experience built into the degree.

Judson University describes its accounting major as a rigorous, practitioner-based program that prepares students for financial reporting careers. Graduates are eligible to sit for the CPA exam or move into industry. Seasoned practitioners and corporate executives work alongside students on financial reports, budget analysis and business systems, and faculty draw on their faith and business experience to stress character and ethics. The school says its accounting graduates have had some of the highest CPA exam pass rates in Illinois. Students build experience in auditing, tax preparation and budget analysis, and the business department hosts networking events with professional accountants. The major requires a senior-year internship; students have interned at Deloitte, Merrill-Lynch, Plante Moran, Mueller and Company, Grant Thornton and Wintrust Financial.

Federally, Judson graduates 60% of its students and admits 48% of applicants. Tuition is $29,237 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program's Program Score is 75.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking on this site. With fewer than 1,000 students, Judson fits accounting majors who want a small, faith-informed campus near Chicago, a required internship and CPA preparation, and who will want to compare financial aid because the school is private.

Western Illinois University offers a Bachelor of Business in Accountancy with options in Management Accounting and Taxation. The program is available on the Macomb campus and online. According to the school, it holds AACSB accreditation and specialized accounting accreditation through the Institute of Certified Management Accountants. An integrated pathway lets students earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years. The page also reports a 70.67% CPA exam pass rate for 2017, the highest among Illinois public universities, and a 94% employment rate within three months of graduation. Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor and professional organization, gives students outreach and networking opportunities, and alumni help place graduates in internships and jobs with employers such as Caterpillar, John Deere, RSM and Deloitte.

Western Illinois is a public university with a 45% graduation rate and a 71% admit rate. In-state tuition is $9,662, and out-of-state tuition is the same $9,662, so residency does not change the price. The program has a Program Score of 74.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a regional public option with a management accounting or tax focus, the choice of studying on campus or online, and a built-in route to a master's degree. Students should weigh the graduation rate against the employer relationships and scholarships the school describes.

Hebrew Theological College offers an accounting major through its Accounting Department, with coursework in financial and managerial accounting, auditing, and tax law, including governmental and non-profit taxation. New courses include Crypto-Currency and Forensic Accounting. Many students follow the college's CPA track, which the school says prepares them for the Illinois Board of Examiners' requirements. The accounting and business coursework totals 36 semester hours, and CPA eligibility requires at least 30 semester hours of accounting, 24 hours of other business courses and 150 total hours in the BA program. Auditing serves as the capstone course. Students also take Jewish business ethics, and the college encourages internships through faculty connections and its network.

Federal data show a 50% graduation rate and a 57% admit rate at a very small school with about 182 students. Tuition is $14,750 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program's Program Score is 74.2 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a CPA-oriented accounting degree alongside Judaic studies and who prefer a small campus with close faculty contact.

Aurora University offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting. The university states that every faculty member in the program is a certified public accountant and that the curriculum is designed to align with Illinois CPA standards. Curriculum highlights include auditing, cost accounting, financial and managerial accounting, taxation and internships. Completing the bachelor's requirements satisfies the accounting and business requirements to sit for the CPA exam, and students can reach the 150-credit-hour requirement through additional undergraduate credits, including dual enrollment and AP credit. Students may double major in actuarial science, business administration, finance or mathematics and still graduate in four years. The program also offers a chance to compete for the Illinois CPA Society's internship preparation program, and the school points to its proximity to Chicago for internships.

Aurora graduates 60% of its students and admits 81% of applicants. In-state tuition is $28,800, and out-of-state tuition is the same. The program has a Program Score of 74 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a CPA-focused degree at a moderately priced private university with accessible admission.

Saint Xavier University's page for its accounting major is a suggested four-year academic plan, so it shows course sequence rather than program marketing. Students start with business computations and an introduction to business, then take financial and managerial accounting, business law, finance and marketing. Upper-level work includes Intermediate Accounting I and II, Introduction to Taxation, Accounting Information Systems, business analytics, Auditing and a capstone-style course, ACCT 390 Cases in Accounting. Accounting electives and room for a minor or second major fill the later semesters. The plan also includes writing, statistics and general education in history, science, humanities and global studies. Students are told to use the Academic Planning tool and consult an advisor, since requirements may change for transfer students.

Saint Xavier graduates 57% of its students and admits 84% of applicants. In-state tuition is $37,755, and out-of-state tuition is the same $37,755. The program has a Program Score of 73.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a clear, semester-by-semester path through the standard accounting sequence at a mid-sized private university in Chicago, with space to add a minor. The page does not describe accreditation, formats or exam preparation, so confirm those with the school.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting of 120 credit hours: 39 in the University Core, 47 in the professional business core, 30 in the major and 4 in electives. The school reports that both the college and the accounting program hold AACSB accreditation, which it describes as the top one percent of programs nationally. The online completion option is about 64 credit hours, or 22 courses, finished in 18 to 24 months in 8-week courses, and the school says it is the only accredited online accounting completion option at an Illinois public university that qualifies graduates for the CPA exam. SIU also offers a 30-credit undergraduate certificate, a minor, an optional 3-credit internship course and an online Master of Accountancy.

SIU graduates 62% of its students and admits 87% of applicants. In-state tuition is $9,638, and out-of-state tuition is the same $9,638. The program has a Program Score of 73.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits campus students who want AACSB-accredited accounting at a public-university price, and working adults who need an online path that keeps the CPA exam open.

Governors State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting through its College of Business. The school describes small class sizes, mentorships and internships across Chicago and the surrounding region, and says graduates are prepared to step into a full-time accounting role. The College of Business offers academic-credit internships approved by the Division Chair, where students apply field-specific skills in a real workplace. The page lists career paths including auditor, Certified Public Accountant, financial manager, account manager and chief financial officer, and notes that graduates can pursue CPA licensure or go straight into the workforce. The school reports that its College of Business is accredited by AACSB International. Course requirements and credit hours are published in the university catalog.

Federal data show a 22% graduation rate and a 48% admit rate. Tuition is $8,232 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program's Program Score is 71.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits students looking for a low-cost, regional route into accounting who value small classes and internship credit, and who should weigh the lower graduation rate when planning how they will finish.

Illinois College offers a BS in Accounting that prepares students for corporate accounting careers or graduate study. The school says the program meets the requirements to sit for the CPA exam, and students can stay for a fifth year to reach the 150 credit hours the CPA requires. It reports that 100% of accounting students are employed in their field or accepted to graduate school within three months of graduation. A double major in finance, business administration or management requires only about 24 additional credit hours. Students can join the Investment Club, which invests over $1 million in real dollars, and each student gets an academic advisor from the accounting faculty. The school also lists an online accounting degree program for students who need more flexibility.

Federally, Illinois College graduates 64% of its students and admits 78% of applicants, so admission is accessible. Tuition is $37,976 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program's Program Score is 71 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking on this site. With fewer than 1,000 students, the college suits those who want close faculty advising, internships and an optional path toward the CPA, and who will look at financial aid because the published tuition is for a private nonprofit school.