The Best MBA Programs in Chicago for 2027

Olivet Nazarene University's Master of Business Administration is offered 100% online through the McGraw School of Business. The program is 36 credit hours and can be completed in 12, 18 or 24 months, and online classes start every eight weeks. The core builds business skills and data-driven decision making, with topics such as digital communication, ethics, crisis management, financial analysis, capital structure, branding and leadership grounded in emotional and cultural intelligence. Students can specialize in Leadership, Healthcare Leadership, Sport Management, Corporate Communications, Criminal Justice or Nonprofit Management. The page also describes a Master of Organizational Leadership as a related option. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, official transcripts and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5, and the degree does not have to be in business.

Federal figures show a 61% graduation rate at Olivet and an admit rate of 56%. The program earns a Program Score of 75.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits working professionals who want to set their own pace, from a one-year sprint to a two-year schedule, and who want an industry-flavored specialization such as healthcare or sport management. Students coming from non-business majors are welcome, so the program works for career changers as well as managers advancing in place.

Judson University's Master of Business Administration is a 36-credit-hour program built for working adults. Classes meet one night a week or fully online, and the school says students spend about 15 hours a week on coursework and can finish in as few as 18 months. The core covers managerial accounting, financial management, managerial economics, business analytics, operations and project management, marketing, international business and an MBA capstone, plus organizational leadership courses on ethical leadership, high-performance teams and organizational culture. Students can take the traditional MBA or add a concentration in Project Management or Leadership. Judson lists a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio and start dates throughout the year in both Elgin and online.

Federally reported figures show a 60% graduation rate and a 48% admit rate at Judson, so admission is selective but not extreme. The program earned a Program Score of 75 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits professionals who want a general management credential on a flexible schedule, whether they prefer a hybrid format near Elgin or a 100% online path. Those who want a deep specialty in one function may find the broad core less targeted.

North Park University's online Master of Business Administration is delivered 100% online with asynchronous courses, so students can keep working full time. The page lists the program as 33 credit hours that can be finished in as few as 12 months. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in any field, and the school says there are no entrance exams, no application fee and no business background required. Students customize the degree by choosing three electives or by taking three courses in a concentration: Human Resources, Leadership, Nonprofit Management, or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The school reports IACBE accreditation and describes a values-driven curriculum that emphasizes ethical decision making, along with applied learning experiences.

Federal data shows a 58% graduation rate at North Park and an admit rate of 69%, so most applicants are accepted. The program earns a Program Score of 74 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults who are changing fields or moving into management and want a flexible schedule without a quantitative gatekeeping step. Those who want a faith-informed, values-centered approach to business, or a path toward nonprofit or HR leadership, will find the concentrations a direct match.

Chicago State University's Master of Business Administration is a graduate program, and the page we reviewed describes how admission works. Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, either overall or across the last 60 semester hours of coursework. Those who meet the GPA but lack some prerequisites may qualify for conditional admission. The MBA application asks for a resume, a personal essay, three letters of recommendation from instructors or supervisors, and an interview with the MBA Admissions Committee. The application fee is $30. Deadlines are August 15 for fall and January 15 for spring, and summer is not offered. International applicants submit English proficiency scores and a credential evaluation. The page does not detail the course list or format.

Federal data put Chicago State's graduation rate at 15% and its admit rate at 43%, so the school admits a sizable share of applicants but completion is low across the institution. The program holds a Program Score of 70.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The MBA suits working professionals in Chicago who meet the 2.75 GPA standard, can line up recommenders and are comfortable with a committee interview. Prospective students should ask the program adviser about the curriculum, scheduling and support before applying.

Benedictine University's Master of Business Administration is run through the Goodwin College of Business and Liberal Arts. The page lists on-campus and hybrid delivery in Lisle, an online MBA, an online accelerated MBA, a 4+1 option for recent bachelor's graduates, an international MBA and a dual MBA/MPH. Concentrations include project management, digital marketing, change management and talent management. Core study covers accounting, marketing, economics and operations, and sample courses include analytical tools for management decisions, web analytics, business negotiations and business and economic forecasting. The program is designed for working adults who can study full or part time, and qualified students may finish in one year. The university says the program has a 45-year track record.

Benedictine graduates 50% of its students and admits 95% of applicants, so admission is broadly accessible. The program has a Program Score of 68.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals who need flexibility in format and pace, as well as recent graduates who want a fast route into graduate business study. Prospective students should compare the online asynchronous and in-person options and ask a counselor whether they qualify for the accelerated year.