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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Business Economics Schools in Illinois

3 Colleges in the United States
166 Business Economics Degrees Awarded
$62,217 Avg Early-Career Salary

Business Economics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best business economics schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Business Economics in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall business economics education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Business Economics

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in business economics. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 52 business economics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their business economics degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full business economics program report for Northwestern University

2

A rank of #2 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for business economics. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 business economics students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the business economics program make about $61,333 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,574. See the full business economics program report for Loyola University Chicago

3
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong business economics program will find one at Depaul University, which ranked #3. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 34 business economics degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the business economics program make about $53,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,666 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in business economics from Depaul University

4

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best business economics schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 53 business economics degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Business Economics graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $55,300 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. See the full business economics program report for Wheaton College Illinois

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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