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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Business Administration and Management Schools in Illinois

46 Colleges in the United States
7,905 General Business Administration and Management Degrees Awarded
$56,792 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Business Administration and Management degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 92 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general business administration and management schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Business Administration and Management in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general business administration and management education in Illinois.

Top Schools in General Business Administration and Management

1

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 217 general business administration and management degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $224,402 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Get the full general business administration and management details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general business administration and management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 1,499 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $93,621 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,175 in student loans. Read more about the general business administration and management program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

A rank of #3 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for general business administration and management. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 228 general business administration and management students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $68,181. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general business administration and management from Illinois State University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for general business administration and management. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 381 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $76,915. Students borrow a median of $20,832 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general business administration and management from University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

Northern Illinois University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general business administration and management, landing the #5 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 206 general business administration and management degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $68,932 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general business administration and management program at Northern Illinois University

6

Loyola University Chicago earned the #6 position for general business administration and management this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 122 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general business administration and management program make about $83,063 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full general business administration and management details for Loyola University Chicago

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #7 for general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 461 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general business administration and management program make about $75,315 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,333. Get the full general business administration and management details for Depaul University

8
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #8 for general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 88 general business administration and management students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general business administration and management program make about $62,290 in their early career. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in general business administration and management from Elmhurst College

9
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general business administration and management schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. There were roughly 79 general business administration and management students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from College Of Dupage earn around $46,497 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general business administration and management from College Of Dupage

10

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for general business administration and management this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 general business administration and management students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general business administration and management program make about $83,599 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,197 to complete this degree. See the full general business administration and management program report for Illinois Institute Of Technology

11

Joliet Junior College placed #11 among the best general business administration and management schools. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. About 130 general business administration and management degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $39,887 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree. Get the full general business administration and management details for Joliet Junior College

12

Elgin Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general business administration and management schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Elgin Community College awarded about 13 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general business administration and management from Elgin Community College

13

Bradley University earned the #13 position for general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. Bradley University awarded about 43 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from Bradley University earn around $51,347 in the first couple years of their career. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $25,586 in student loans. See the full general business administration and management program report for Bradley University

14

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general business administration and management schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 313 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $58,201 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. More information about a degree in general business administration and management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

15

Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management came in at #15 for general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management is a small private not-for-profit university. Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management awarded about 99 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management generally make around $113,944. Get the full general business administration and management details for Lake Forest Graduate School Of Management

16
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #16 for general business administration and management this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 65 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $59,982. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. See the full general business administration and management program report for Harper College

17

College Of Lake County earned the #17 position for general business administration and management this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 37 general business administration and management students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from College Of Lake County earn around $50,314 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,785. Get the full general business administration and management details for College Of Lake County

18

Moraine Valley Community College earned the #18 position for general business administration and management this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. About 23 general business administration and management degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general business administration and management program make about $43,844 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149. Read more about the general business administration and management program at Moraine Valley Community College

19

Saint Xavier University earned the #19 position for general business administration and management this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Saint Xavier University awarded about 22 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $90,420 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. More information about a degree in general business administration and management from Saint Xavier University

20

Benedictine University landed the #20 spot for general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 108 general business administration and management students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $65,712 early in their careers. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the general business administration and management program at Benedictine University

21

Augustana College Illinois earned the #21 position for general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 general business administration and management students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from Augustana College Illinois earn around $50,210 in the first couple years of their career. Augustana College Illinois graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general business administration and management program at Augustana College Illinois

22
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #22 for general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 167 general business administration and management degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $62,488. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general business administration and management details for Lewis University

23

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #23 for general business administration and management this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Springfield. About 52% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 277 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from University Of Illinois At Springfield earn around $59,334 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full general business administration and management details for University Of Illinois At Springfield

24
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University came in at #24 for general business administration and management this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Aurora University awarded about 300 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,952 early in their careers. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general business administration and management from Aurora University

25
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College placed #25 among the best general business administration and management schools. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. North Central College awarded about 20 general business administration and management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general business administration and management degree from North Central College earn around $57,881 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,900. Read more about the general business administration and management program at North Central College

Rest of the Top 50 General Business Administration and Management Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general business administration and management education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL
32
33
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
34
35
36
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
37
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
38
39
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL
40
41
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL
42
43
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
44
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL
45
46
47
48
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for general business administration and management:

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 92 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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