The Best Business Schools in Chicago for 2027
Key Points: Best Business Schools in Chicago
- DePaul University ranks #1 in the Chicago area on an 86.2 Program Score, with a 68% graduation rate.
- Wheaton College graduates the most students on this list (85%), from #5.
- The hardest to get into is Judson University (#6), which admits 48% of applicants.
- Every school on this list is private.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, Hebrew Theological College, ranks #7.
- Programs analyzed
- 290
- Schools ranked
- 7
- Tuition range
- $14,750-$52,230
- Average graduation rate
- 66%
We analyzed 290 accredited business programs in Chicago and the surrounding metro and ranked 7 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 7 ranked schools runs from $14,750 to $52,230 a year, a $37,480 spread for the same credential.
DePaul University leads with an 86.2 Program Score on a 68% graduation rate, at $44,601 a year. Across all 7 ranked business schools in Chicago the average graduation rate is 66%, ranging from 50% to 85%. All 7 are private nonprofits, so the price gap below reflects differences among private schools rather than a public and private split.
How the Top Business Schools in Chicago Compare
DePaul leads at 86.2, and Hebrew Theological College closes the chart at 76.1. Longer bars rank higher.
How We Rank Business Schools in Chicago
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 7 Best Business Schools in Chicago, Ranked for 2027
The 7 best Business Schools in Chicago, ranked by outcomes.
DePaul University
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 76%
- In-state
- $44,601
- Out-of-state
- $44,601
DePaul University's accounting degree sits in downtown Chicago and offers combined bachelor's and master's routes to 150 credit hours in as few as five years.
- 68% graduation rate
- Program Score 86.2
- $44,601 tuition
- Combined bachelor's and master's option
DePaul University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business with an accounting major through its Driehaus College of Business, taught in person in downtown Chicago. The curriculum covers advanced financial accounting, auditing, financial reporting, managerial accounting, tax treatment of corporations and partnerships, and professional responsibilities and business law, along with career management for accountants. The page lists an Internal Audit Standard track. The university says faculty have served as accounting executives, chief financial officers, controllers and internal auditors. Combined bachelor's and master's programs in accountancy let students finish both degrees in as few as five years and earn the 150 semester hours the page ties to the CPA exam, with skills in forensic accounting, internal auditing and accounting information systems.
DePaul graduates 68% of its students and admits 76% of applicants. In-state tuition is $44,601, and out-of-state tuition is the same. The program scores 86.2 out of 100 on the Program Score, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a city campus of about 21,210 students and a direct route to the CPA hours.
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 73%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- In-state
- $52,230
- Out-of-state
- $52,230
Loyola's Quinlan School of Business BBA in Accounting prepares students for the CPA, CMA, CFM and CIA exams and has an AACSB-accredited accounting department.
- 73% graduation rate
- Program Score 85.8
- $52,230 tuition
- BBA/MSA combined option
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.
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 74%
- In-state
- $42,495
- Out-of-state
- $42,495
Elmhurst University's 4+1 pathway pairs a business administration B.S. with an MBA in five years and ends the undergraduate phase with a full-time internship.
- 70% graduation rate
- Program Score 82.9
- $42,495 tuition
- B.S. and MBA in five years
Elmhurst University's 4+1 Business Administration B.S. to MBA program lets students earn a bachelor of science in business administration and a master of business administration within five years. The first four years cover marketing, finance, management, economics and accounting alongside the university's Integrated Curriculum, and the final undergraduate semester is a full-time internship. Students then enroll directly in the accelerated, full-time MBA, which focuses on general management and includes courses in organizational management, financial management and marketing management. Applicants need a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, a personal essay, two recommendations, business calculus and an interview, and they must keep a 3.0 GPA to stay on the track.
Elmhurst graduates 70% of its students and admits 74% of applicants. In-state and out-of-state tuition are the same at $42,495 for the undergraduate years. The program has a Program Score of 82.9 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. This route suits a high-achieving student who already knows an MBA is the goal and wants the graduate credential without a separate application cycle. It asks for a prescribed course sequence and a full-time commitment during the MBA year, so it is less flexible than a standard major.
North Park University
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 58%
- Admit rate
- 69%
- In-state
- $36,070
- Out-of-state
- $36,070
A marketing concentration within North Park University's business major, taught through the School of Business and Nonprofit Management.
- 58% graduation rate
- Program Score 80.4
- $36,070 in-state tuition
- Interactive marketing course
North Park University offers marketing as a concentration within its Business BS, housed in the School of Business and Nonprofit Management in Chicago. The page says the program prepares students for brand management, market research, sales or customer relations in private companies or nonprofits, and that students learn to analyze consumer behavior and apply those insights to sales and promotions. A featured course, BSE 3670 Introduction to Interactive Marketing, covers search engine marketing and optimization, social media, email and mobile marketing, and customer relationship management in both for-profit and nonprofit settings. The page also highlights the internship program, with a graduate describing social media and digital campaign work at a health system. Related programs include finance, management and sport management.
North Park graduates 58% of its students and admits 69% of applicants. In-state tuition is $36,070, and out-of-state tuition is also $36,070. The program has a Program Score of 80.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a small-campus marketing path, with roughly 2,500 students enrolled, and an interest in either corporate or nonprofit work. The internship program and the nonprofit orientation of the business school are the clearest differences from a standard marketing major.
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 85%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $45,420
- Out-of-state
- $45,420
Wheaton College reports that 98.9% of the Class of 2021 were employed or in graduate school within six months, and 75% of the latest class completed an internship.
- 85% graduation rate
- Program Score 80.2
- $45,420 tuition
- Student-managed investment fund
Wheaton College offers a B.A. in business economics that requires 48 credits and is available with an honors program. The department says its faculty work across labor economics, organizational behavior, business as mission, health economics, corporate social responsibility and economic policy. The curriculum is built on the college's faith-based liberal arts core, called Christ at the Core, and it is flexible enough to add a minor or second major. Students can join a student-managed investment fund, do faculty-mentored research, study abroad or take part in the Wheaton in Chicago program, since the campus sits about 25 miles from downtown Chicago.
Federally reported figures show an 85% graduation rate and an 87% admit rate at Wheaton, with tuition of $45,420 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program earns a Program Score of 80.2 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want economic analysis and business training inside a faith-centered liberal arts setting, with Chicago employers and internships within reach. Those who prefer a large business school with many specialized tracks may find the broad, flexible design less focused.
Judson University
Elgin, IL · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 60%
- Admit rate
- 48%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
This Judson MBA pairs a 36-credit core with a Leadership concentration option and a one-night-a-week schedule that can finish in 18 months.
- Program Score 77.8
- 60% graduation rate
- Leadership concentration
- One night a week or online
At Judson University the MBA carries a leadership emphasis. Its 36-credit-hour core includes organizational leadership courses in ethical leadership, leading high-performance teams, organizational culture and politics, and strategic communication, alongside business courses in managerial accounting, financial management, analytics, operations and project management, marketing and international business. Students can choose the traditional MBA or a concentration in Leadership or Project Management, and finish with an MBA capstone. Judson offers the degree online and as a hybrid at its Elgin campus. Classes meet one night a week, the school estimates about 15 hours of weekly coursework, and students can graduate in as few as 18 months.
Judson's federal numbers include a 60% graduation rate and a 48% admit rate. The program holds a Program Score of 77.8 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults who expect to move into team leadership or project management and want the option to study entirely online. Applicants who want a heavily quantitative or finance-focused degree may prefer a program with more specialized tracks.
Hebrew Theological College
Skokie, IL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 50%
- Admit rate
- 57%
- In-state
- $14,750
- Out-of-state
- $14,750
The business BA at Hebrew Theological College builds a 45-semester-hour business core with an e-commerce and web-based business major.
- 50% graduation rate
- Program Score 76.1
- $14,750 tuition
- E-commerce and web-based business major
Hebrew Theological College lists a Bachelor of Arts in E-Commerce and Web-Based Business, a program that combines business coursework with technical and design skills for online commerce. Students complete the general education requirements and a business core that includes business communication, statistical analysis, case studies in Jewish business ethics, accounting, marketing, finance and a course in e-commerce. Major courses cover advertising, computer science principles, web programming or website design, and graphic and multimedia design. A minimum of 120 semester hours is required for the degree, and an additional major in business takes 45 semester hours. Business Policy and Strategic Management serves as the capstone.
The college graduates 50% of its students and admits 57% of applicants. In-state and out-of-state tuition are the same at $14,750. The program carries a Program Score of 76.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a business degree with a practical web and design component and who value a curriculum that includes Jewish business ethics. The page names careers such as e-business consultant, e-services manager and online business entrepreneur.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Business Schools in Chicago
The median school on this list graduates 68% of its students. The highest rates belong to Wheaton College (85%) and Loyola University Chicago (73%). The top graduation rate is not at the #1 school, because the score also weighs selectivity, cost, and earnings.
- #5 Wheaton College85% graduation rate
- #2 Loyola University Chicago73% graduation rate
- #3 Elmhurst University70% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Business Schools in Chicago?
On this list, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Judson University at 48%.
- #6 Judson University48% admitted
- #7 Hebrew Theological College57% admitted
- #4 North Park University69% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Campus Size Across the Business Schools in Chicago
Enrollment on this list runs from 182 at Hebrew Theological College to 21,210 at DePaul University. Of the 7, 1 enrolls 20,000 students or more and 5 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Business Schools in Chicago Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | DePaul UniversityDePaul | $93,592 | $27,108 |
| #2 | Loyola University ChicagoLoyola University Chicago | $97,667 | $36,340 |
| #3 | Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst | $76,678 | $23,165 |
| #5 | Wheaton CollegeWheaton College | $80,258 | $26,059 |
| #6 | Judson UniversityJudson | $93,396 | $19,224 |
Graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $97,667; the lowest figure here is $76,678 at Elmhurst.
DePaul, the highest-ranked of these schools (#1), comes in at $93,592.
Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $19,224 a year at Judson to $36,340 at Loyola University Chicago.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What Business Schools in Chicago Cost
Tuition across the 7 ranked schools runs from $14,750 to $52,230 a year. Hebrew Theological College in Skokie anchors the low end at $14,750 a year, while Loyola University Chicago sits at the top at $52,230. None of the business schools in Chicago on this list is public, so the cheapest option is also the cheapest private, Hebrew Theological College in Skokie at $14,750.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $59,000 in tuition at Hebrew Theological College against about $208,920 at Loyola University Chicago. In-state and out-of-state tuition are identical at every school here, so an applicant moving to Chicago from another state pays the same sticker price as a local.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Which Business Major to Choose in Chicago
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Chicago do not all offer the same ones. Across the 290 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Chicago are business administration (27 schools), marketing (20 schools), accounting (19 schools), finance (15 schools), human resources (15 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: most states now license CPAs on either 150 credit hours and one year of experience or a bachelor's and two years, so the choice between a fifth year of school and a longer apprenticeship shapes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 19 of the schools analyzed in Chicago run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Chicago
All 7 ranked business schools in Chicago are private nonprofits, so the $37,480 tuition spread above comes from price differences among private schools rather than a residency discount. With in-state and out-of-state tuition identical at each school on the list, where a student already lives matters less to this ranking than the school's own price.
Why Study Business in Chicago
The 7 ranked schools sit across 5 towns in the metro, among them Chicago, Elmhurst, Wheaton, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 1 of the 7 also runs a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Keep Exploring
Business Schools in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best business school in Chicago?
By Program Score, DePaul University ranks first among the 7 ranked business schools in Chicago, with an 86.2 score and a 68% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Chicago?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Chicago, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Chicago?
Tuition among the ranked Chicago schools runs from $12,789 to $67,446 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Chicago living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Chicago does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 290 accredited business programs across Chicago and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 7 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Chicago metro, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Chicago instead of online?
Only 1 of the 7 ranked schools is confirmed online, so in Chicago the campus route is the one most of this list offers. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $14,750 a year, Hebrew Theological College in Skokie is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.