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

At Augustana College, finance is one of five concentrations within the business administration major. Students often choose more than one concentration and may combine business with other majors. The school reports that its Business Administration-Finance program has been a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program since 2018, which gives enrolled students access to CFA Institute resources. Augustana sent two teams to the CFA Institute Research Challenge finals hosted by CFA Society Chicago, where seven of 16 teams advanced. Recent graduates profiled on the page work in auditing, public accounting and business finance, and one is pursuing a master's in financial technology. The page also notes a business simulation team that scored in the top 10% of teams worldwide.

Federal data shows a 73% graduation rate at Augustana and an admit rate of 63%. Tuition is $51,438, the same in-state and out-of-state, as a private college. The program earns a Program Score of 83.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a finance concentration inside a flexible business major and who value competition experience such as the CFA Research Challenge.

Loyola University Chicago's BBA in Finance sits in the Quinlan School of Business. The school describes its finance faculty as especially well known for expertise in socially responsible investing and derivatives. Coursework introduces financial tools through financial markets and institutions, financial management, capital budgeting, international financial management, portfolio theory, derivatives and risk management. The page highlights guest speakers from Chicago corporations, consulting firms and nonprofits, moderate class sizes and instruction mostly by full-time faculty. Students can apply to the Finance Honors Program or add a finance minor. Typical careers listed include financial analyst, credit analyst, commercial loan officer, portfolio manager and investment banker. All Quinlan students complete the University Core, the Business Core and school-level requirements.

Loyola graduates 73% of its students and admits 82% of applicants. In-state tuition is $52,230, matching the $52,230 out-of-state figure. The program has a Program Score of 82.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a finance degree in a major city, with direct contact with local employers through speakers, and an optional honors track. Applicants interested in socially responsible investing will find the faculty focus relevant. Because the price is identical for all students, residency does not change the cost.

Bradley University offers a corporate finance major that teaches students to analyze financial statements, evaluate investment opportunities and assess risk. The page says students can specialize in corporate finance, securities, markets or financial institutions, and that the degree supports those planning to pursue industry certifications. Experiential learning includes a student-managed investment fund, portfolio management, financial research and modeling, and use of the Refinitiv Eikon Datastream database. All seniors complete a capstone project for a local business. Students can join the Financial Management Association and attend the Missouri Valley Economic Association conference and the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium. Employers the page lists include Capital One, Caterpillar, the Federal Reserve Bank and Ernst and Young.

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 holds a Program Score of 79.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want to manage real investment money as undergraduates and finish with applied work for a local company.

Illinois State University offers a bachelor's degree in finance through the Department of Finance, Insurance and Law in its College of Business. The program is listed as Finance, General Finance, and its overview describes a broad grounding in credit management, budgeting and investing for careers in corporate finance or the financial services industry. The department says it emphasizes student involvement in the educational process and pays special attention to linking theory with financial practice. A point of pride is the Institute for Financial Planning and Analysis, housed in the department, which connects students with financial professionals through internships, mentorships and job shadowing. The page also notes that financial professionals need broad knowledge of economics, accounting, technology and business operations, and it points students to course requirements, sample plans of study and faculty pages.

Federal data show a 65% graduation rate and an 88% admit rate at Illinois State. In-state tuition is $11,215, compared with $22,863 for out-of-state students, which makes the in-state price roughly half the nonresident figure. The program holds a Program Score of 76.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits Illinois residents who want a public university finance degree with a professional-network component built into the department, and who value a large campus with in-person classes.

The University of St. Francis (USF) offers a Finance (BBA) that prepares students for roles as financial managers. Students choose one of four concentrations: Banking and Credit Analyst, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Finance, Financial Planning, or General Financial Management. Coursework includes commercial banking, credit analysis and underwriting, investments, international finance, and financial modeling with Excel, and each track draws on a finance internship. The page says most internships are paid and run 10 to 25 hours a week for academic credit, and names employers where finance majors have interned. Seniors may take nine graduate-level credit hours toward an MBA or M.S. The school reports accreditation of the Finance program by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the university by the Higher Learning Commission.

The program has a Program Score of 72.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 67% graduation rate and a 65% admit rate at the University of St. Francis, a private nonprofit with about 3,074 students. Tuition is $38,110 a year, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. It fits students who want a choice of career tracks, internship experience and a route to a graduate degree in one more year of study.

Aurora University offers a Bachelor of Science in Finance that blends accounting, economics and statistics. Students learn capital investment decisions, securities analysis and valuation, and the relationship between risk and expected return, along with corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, financial markets and personal financial management. An internship is part of the program, supported by the school's proximity to Chicago and the I-88 and I-55 business corridors. Curriculum highlights include auditing, cost accounting, taxation and internships. Students can double major in business administration, healthcare administration, or political science and public policy and, the school says, still graduate in four years. Campus groups include the AU Finance Association, the Investment Club and the Student Accounting Society.

Federal data shows a 60% graduation rate at Aurora and an admit rate of 81%. Tuition is $28,800, identical for in-state and out-of-state students. The program earns a Program Score of 71.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want an internship built into a finance degree and who may want a second major in a related field without extending their time to a degree.

Millikin University's bachelor's degree in finance sits in the Tabor School of Business and prepares students for wealth management, banking, insurance and corporate finance. The page says students learn to value stocks, bonds, options and futures, apply capital budgeting methods, quantify interest rate risk of bond portfolios, evaluate factors affecting interest rates and explain the function of central banks. The hallmark of its Performance Learning approach is participation in the real-time management of the Tabor Investment Portfolio, valued at over $600,000. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue credentials such as the CFA, Certified Valuation Analyst and Certified Financial Planner designations. The school lists an average starting salary of $72,227 for graduates, citing NACE, and says the Tabor School offers 180+ internship opportunities and an average class size of 20.

Millikin graduates 55% of its students and admits 67% of applicants. In-state tuition is $26,000, and out-of-state students pay the same $26,000. The program earns a Program Score of 70.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want small classes and practical portfolio experience, and who may later pursue an MBA through the school's 12- and 17-month options.

Saint Xavier University's finance major is laid out in a suggested eight-semester academic plan. The early semesters build a business base: business computing, statistics, financial and managerial accounting, economics, marketing, business analytics software and a legal environment course. Finance courses begin with Principles of Finance and Money and Banking, then move to Investment Portfolio Analysis, International Finance, Advanced Corporate Finance, Futures and Options, and Risk Management in the final year. The plan also includes career-focused business courses, an ethics course, general education and theology requirements, and open electives that can count toward a minor or second major. The page does not describe concentrations, internships or online options, and students are told to plan courses with an academic advisor.

The program has a Program Score of 70 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 57% graduation rate and an 84% admit rate at Saint Xavier, a private nonprofit with about 3,485 students. Tuition is $37,755 a year, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. This fits students who want a conventional on-campus finance degree with a clear sequence from corporate finance to derivatives and risk, and room to add a minor.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale describes its finance major as preparation for financial management, investment and banking careers, with an emphasis on critical thinking and financial data analysis. The page highlights the Saluki Student Investment Fund, where students manage over $3.5 million for the SIU Foundation, doing portfolio analysis and writing and presenting investment theses. It also notes membership in the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, which lets students sit CFA exams, and access to the FINRA SIE exam before graduation. The major is offered through the School of Analytics, Finance, and Economics in the College of Business and Analytics. The page points to a fully online MBA the school describes as AACSB accredited, and a doctoral business administration program, as next steps. It lists possible careers as financial analyst, investment banker and portfolio manager.

The program has a Program Score of 69 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 62% graduation rate and an 87% admit rate for SIU Carbondale, a public university with about 11,790 students. Tuition is $9,638 a year, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. This suits students who want hands-on portfolio experience and exam preparation at a public university price.

Quincy University houses its Bachelor of Science in Finance in the Oakley School of Business, with a Finance minor also available. The page describes coursework in financial analysis, investments, budgeting and risk management, plus hands-on and immersive learning experiences. It frames the major as a blend of technical skill and ethical judgment, set inside a liberal arts foundation that includes the Bonaventure Program of service learning, signature courses, writing and technological literacy. The school lists career pathways in corporate finance, banking, investments and wealth management, audit and risk, and public or nonprofit finance. Graduates can also continue to an MBA or other graduate study, or pursue professional certifications such as the CFA, CFP and CPA pathways, which the school notes may require additional study. The page does not state credit hours or an internship requirement.

The program has a Program Score of 66.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data show a 45% graduation rate and a 51% admit rate at Quincy, a small private nonprofit with about 1,210 students. Tuition is $37,140 a year, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. This fits students who want a finance major in a small, liberal arts setting with a path into banking, corporate finance or graduate study. The graduation rate is moderate, so it is worth asking the school about advising and support.