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Best Schools for Sports Management in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sports management education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Sports Management
No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for sports management. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $58,537. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports management program at Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong sports management program will find one at Illinois Wesleyan University, which ranked #2. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $50,808 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports management program at Illinois Wesleyan University
A rank of #3 makes Aurora University one of the top schools for sports management. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 29 sports management degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $37,256 in their early career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full sports management program report for Aurora University
Lewis University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports management, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. About 67% of students finish within six years. Lewis University awarded about 15 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Lewis University earn around $28,856 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Read more about the sports management program at Lewis University
A rank of #5 makes Elmhurst College one of the top schools for sports management. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $31,538. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans.
Read more about the sports management program at Elmhurst College
Eastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for sports management this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 38 sports management degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $36,776 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in sports management from Eastern Illinois University
North Central College came in at #7 for sports management this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Central College awarded about 23 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $34,609. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sports management from North Central College
Northern Illinois University came in at #8 for sports management this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 63 sports management degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,418.
Read more about the sports management program at Northern Illinois University
Concordia University Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 63 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $40,158 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,166.
More information about a degree in sports management from Concordia University Chicago
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #10 among the best sports management schools. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $34,705. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
Get the full sports management details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Mckendree University earned the #11 position for sports management this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lebanon. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mckendree University awarded about 15 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $31,259. Mckendree University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sports management from Mckendree University
Western Illinois University placed #12 among the best sports management schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Illinois University awarded about 15 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $33,473 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
More information about a degree in sports management from Western Illinois University
Millikin University landed the #13 spot for sports management this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Decatur. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Millikin University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Millikin University earn around $26,065 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in sports management from Millikin University
