Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Academic Influence Staff

Published: Jun 3, 2022
Updated: Jun 19, 2024

Featured Programs

Top 10 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Cost of Degree: $18,131

Western Illinois University

Cost of Degree: $12,693

Roosevelt University

Cost of Degree: $23,094

Benedictine University

Cost of Degree: $20,239

National Louis University

Cost of Degree: $12,171

McKendree University

Cost of Degree: $9,450

North Central College

Cost of Degree: $15,822

Lewis University

Cost of Degree: $14,960

North Park University

Cost of Degree: $14,184

Governors State University

Cost of Degree: $8,590

Key Takeaways

An online MBA program in Illinois can open leadership role opportunities in accounting, finance, human resources, organizational administration.
The state of Illinois has a number of key industries, perfectly positioning online MBA graduates for career advancement.
A number of the online MBA degree programs in Illinois can be completed on a part-time basis, making the programs a viable option for busy working professionals.

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young business professional standing in an office

Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois

Working professionals seeking to advance their business education and skills have a lot of online opportunities in Illinois. The state has a wide selection of online MBA programs, guaranteeing that people from different backgrounds and industries can find a program that matches their career goals and aspirations.

These online programs allow graduate students to continue working and applying what they’ve learned in real-world settings, gaining useful skills, growing professional networks, and pursuing leadership roles within their chosen sectors.

What are Illinois’s Colleges & Universities?

Illinois’s Best Overall

Learn more about what you can do with an MBA.

Students can pursue an online MBA program in any state, but a neighboring state can expand your choices of excellent degree programs. Students in Illinois may choose to explore programs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, or Indiana. An online education can be a great option no matter your state of residence.

Why pursue an online MBA in Illinois?

In addition to being home to several world-renowned universities and business schools, Illinois is also at the forefront of business, technology, and healthcare.

There are over 1.2 million small businesses in Illinois, employing over 2.5 million people, accounting for 44.7 percent of the state’s workforce. Moreover, there are 35 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state and more than 2,000 foreign-based businesses. These numbers are clear indicators of booming business climate in Illinois.

The coexistence of small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and international corporations in Illinois provides online MBA students with a diverse array of career opportunities. Whether you’re interested in joining a multinational corporation, launching a startup, or working with small businesses, Illinois offers a multitude of options to match your career aspirations.

Illinois also has a thriving cultural scene, a wide variety of culinary experiences, and many leisure activities in addition to its business opportunities. These enhance the overall quality of life and contribute to the enriching and delightful experience of earning and using an MBA in Illinois.

Largest Employers of MBA Graduates in Illinois

Allstate Corp

Allstate is one of the top insurance companies in the country. Offering a variety of professional pathways in fields like finance, marketing, data analytics, and strategic planning, Allstate is a significant employer of recent MBA graduates. Allstate offers MBA professionals a stable and fulfilling work environment with opportunities to impact the insurance market.

Adjutant General

In the Illinois National Guard, the Adjutant General plays a pivotal role in supervising the management and administration of the state’s armed forces. This company is ideal for MBA graduates interested in government and military service.

State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company

Another significant participant in the insurance market is State Farm, which provides several opportunities for MBA graduates in several disciplines, such as operations, marketing, finance, and IT. Because of its reputation for embracing technology and innovation, State Farm attracts individuals interested in working on cutting-edge insurance solutions.

Along with these three well-known firms, Illinois has various businesses and industries that respect MBA skills. With its thriving financial, technological, healthcare, and consulting sectors, Chicago, in particular, offers MBA graduates a wealth of chances to put their knowledge and experience to use.

Student Submitted Questions about Online MBA Programs in Illinois

Do online MBA programs in Illinois require the GMAT?

The GMAT is still required by many graduate schools of all shapes and sizes — elite research universities, public universities, liberal arts colleges, online colleges, etc. There’s no real common denominator for which types of schools require the GMAT or don’t.

If you are considering a graduate business school that requires the GMAT, then you certainly want to do well on the exam. Even if schools you’re considering don’t require it, you may want to take the test because a high score could still help your application and because there may be another college that suddenly interests you, and it might require successful completion of the GMAT.

What are the admission requirements for online MBA programs in Illinois?

Admission requirements vary from school to school. For instance, colleges and universities with lower acceptance rates may require more competitive application materials than those with a 100% acceptance rate.

Most MBA programs require applicants to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Some programs may specify the preferred undergraduate major, often in a related field such as business, economics, or engineering. However, many MBA programs also accept students from diverse academic backgrounds.

Additionally, some MBA programs, mainly those considered more prestigious or competitive, prefer candidates with prior work experience. The required work experience can range from a few years to a decade. This work experience is often seen as an indicator of your ability to apply the knowledge gained in the program to real-world situations.

However, there are a few general MBA admission requirements at most schools, including:

Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose or Essay
Interview
Transcripts and Academic Records
Resume
English Language Proficiency Test

How long does it take to get an online MBA?

Typically, an online MBA can be earned in about two years. However, specializations range from healthcare management to entrepreneurship to international business. Because online MBAs offer so many educational paths, program requirements can vary greatly, from 30 to 60 credits, which means this degree may take anywhere between two and four years to complete.

However, an accelerated online MBA program can take as little as 12 months of full-time study to complete.

What are the courses in an online MBA program in Illinois like?

MBA courses are available both online and on campus, and many programs require a thesis or professional experience component. Students will study topics like corporate law, organizational behavior, and negotiations.

Most online MBA programs will be asynchronous for maximum flexibility. This means students watch lectures and read when they can and likely join web forums for class discussions. While online MBA courses can be “self-paced,” there usually are still mid-term and end-of-term deadlines. Typical online MBA courses will have multiple deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments.

What can you do with an MBA in Illinois?

MBA graduates can advance to leadership roles in accounting, finance, human resources, organizational administration, and more. MBAs are popular because of their versatility. With so many choices of concentrations, your MBA can prepare you for leadership or executive roles in virtually any industry.

Illinois is just one of many states offering excellent online MBA programs. To check out our rankings, look into the best online associate’s degrees in Alaska, Rhode Island, Maine, and more!

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Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois

Featured Programs

Top 10 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois

Key Takeaways

Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Roosevelt University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Elmhurst University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Western Illinois University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at National Louis University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at North Central College

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Benedictine University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Aurora University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at McKendree University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at North Park University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Governors State University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Lewis University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Dominican University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Olivet Nazarene University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of St. Francis

Online Master’s Degrees

What are Illinois’s Colleges & Universities?

Why pursue an online MBA in Illinois?

Largest Employers of MBA Graduates in Illinois

Allstate Corp

Adjutant General

State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company

Student Submitted Questions about Online MBA Programs in Illinois

Do online MBA programs in Illinois require the GMAT?

What are the admission requirements for online MBA programs in Illinois?

How long does it take to get an online MBA?

What are the courses in an online MBA program in Illinois like?

What can you do with an MBA in Illinois?