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Best Colleges for Finance in Illinois

The best colleges for a Finance degree in Illinois, led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University and Loyola University Chicago. Each school is shown with its acceptance rate, tuition, and average SAT so you can weigh Finance programs side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college for Finance in Illinois?

Based on our rankings, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the top-ranked college for Finance in Illinois. Other top choices include Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University.

What are the best Finance schools?

The best Finance schools, based on program-specific federal data including median earnings and graduate counts, are University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago. Our rankings use College Scorecard field-of-study data rather than editorial opinion.

How much does it cost to study Finance?

The average out-of-state tuition among top Finance programs is approximately $38,443 per year. However, costs vary significantly — many schools offer generous financial aid packages that can reduce the effective cost.

How long does it take to get a Finance degree?

A bachelor's degree in Finance typically takes four years of full-time study. Some programs offer accelerated tracks or combined bachelor's-to-master's options that can extend or shorten the timeline.

How are these Finance rankings determined?

Our major rankings are independently calculated from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study (CIP) data — primarily median earnings 4 years after graduation and program scale (graduate count), with a 10+ annual graduates minimum per program. They are not derived from US News or any other publication.

Career outcomes for Finance graduates

Among the top 10 ranked Finance programs, the average early-career salary is approximately $68,159 per year. Below are the highest-paying Finance programs based on federal College Scorecard earnings data reported by graduates four years after completion.

  1. 1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, IL · 42.4% acceptance · SAT 1,440 · $35,124 tuition · 85% grad rate
  2. 2. Northwestern University — Evanston, IL · 7.7% acceptance · SAT 1,533 · $68,322 tuition · 95% grad rate
  3. 3. Loyola University Chicago — Chicago, IL · 81.6% acceptance · SAT 1,297 · $53,710 tuition · 73% grad rate
  4. 4. DePaul University — Chicago, IL · 75.9% acceptance · SAT 1,262 · $45,999 tuition · 68% grad rate
  5. 5. Illinois Wesleyan University — Bloomington, IL · 39.3% acceptance · SAT 1,275 · $57,704 tuition · 75% grad rate
  6. 6. Western Illinois University — Macomb, IL · 71.2% acceptance · $15,264 tuition · 45% grad rate
  7. 7. Northern Illinois University — Dekalb, IL · 69.8% acceptance · $13,248 tuition · 49% grad rate
  8. 8. North Central College — Naperville, IL · 77.3% acceptance · SAT 1,213 · $45,726 tuition · 64% grad rate
  9. 9. Lewis University — Romeoville, IL · 71.3% acceptance · SAT 1,096 · $39,200 tuition · 67% grad rate
  10. 10. Lake Forest College — Lake Forest, IL · 56.8% acceptance · SAT 1,343 · $56,402 tuition · 78% grad rate
  11. 11. Quincy University — Quincy, IL · 50.9% acceptance · SAT 1,098 · $37,140 tuition · 45% grad rate
  12. 12. Illinois College — Jacksonville, IL · 78.2% acceptance · SAT 1,064 · $38,676 tuition · 64% grad rate
  13. 13. Northeastern Illinois University — Chicago, IL · 74.6% acceptance · $22,726 tuition · 22% grad rate
  14. 14. Eastern Illinois University — Charleston, IL · 65.4% acceptance · SAT 1,000 · $16,217 tuition · 47% grad rate
  15. 15. Elmhurst University — Elmhurst, IL · 73.6% acceptance · SAT 1,151 · $42,955 tuition · 70% grad rate
  16. 16. Benedictine University — Lisle, IL · 95.2% acceptance · $35,940 tuition · 50% grad rate
  17. 17. Aurora University — Aurora, IL · 80.9% acceptance · SAT 1,076 · $29,170 tuition · 60% grad rate

Best Colleges for Finance in Illinois on PickACampus