The Best Finance Programs in Illinois for 2026

DePaul University is a private, nonprofit institution in Chicago, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #4 of the 25 analyzed here with an 84.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 68% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. DePaul University admits 76% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 21,210 students.

On cost, DePaul University charges $44,601 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $178,404 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

Based in Rock Island, IL, Augustana College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #5 of the 25 ranked here, earning an 83.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 73% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. Augustana College admits 63% of applicants, more selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Augustana College charges $51,438 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $205,752 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #6 of the 25 ranked here, earning an 82.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 73% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. Loyola University Chicago admits 82% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Loyola University Chicago charges $52,230 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $208,920 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

Based in Chicago, IL, University of Illinois Chicago is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #7 of the 25 ranked here, earning an 81.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 62% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. University of Illinois Chicago admits 77% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, University of Illinois Chicago charges $12,789 a year in-state, roughly 2.3x the $28,849 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $51,156 in tuition for residents, against $115,396 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Bradley University is a private, nonprofit institution in Peoria, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #8 of the 25 analyzed here with a 79.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 76% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. Bradley University admits 77% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%. The university enrolls 4,777 students overall.

On cost, Bradley University charges $41,210 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $164,840 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

Northern Illinois University is a public institution in Dekalb, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #9 of the 25 analyzed here with a 78.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 49% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Northern Illinois University admits 70% of applicants, more selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%. The university enrolls 15,414 students overall.

On cost, Northern Illinois University charges $10,232 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $40,928 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #10 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 77.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 70% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. Elmhurst University admits 74% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,997 students.

On cost, Elmhurst University charges $42,495 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $169,980 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

Based in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #11 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 76.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 65% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. Illinois State University admits 88% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Illinois State University charges $11,215 a year in-state, roughly 2.0x the $22,863 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $44,860 in tuition for residents, against $91,452 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

North Central College is a private, nonprofit institution in Naperville, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #12 of the 25 analyzed here with a 76.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 64% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. North Central College admits 77% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, North Central College charges $45,446 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $181,784 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

Based in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #13 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 75.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 67% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. Lewis University admits 71% of applicants, more selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%. The university enrolls 7,011 students overall.

On cost, Lewis University charges $38,800 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $155,200 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Joliet, IL, University of St Francis is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #14 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 72.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 67% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. University of St Francis admits 65% of applicants, more selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, University of St Francis charges $38,110 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $152,440 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Aurora, IL, Aurora University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #15 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 71.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 60% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Aurora University admits 81% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Aurora University charges $28,800 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $115,200 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. It earns its place in the top 25 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.

Millikin University is a private, nonprofit institution in Decatur, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #16 of the 25 analyzed here with a 70.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 55% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Millikin University admits 67% of applicants, more selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Millikin University charges $26,000 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $104,000 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its genuine selectivity.

Eastern Illinois University is a public institution in Charleston, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #17 of the 25 analyzed here with a 70.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 47% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Eastern Illinois University admits 65% of applicants, more selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Eastern Illinois University charges $9,848 a year in-state, versus $12,330 for out-of-state students. Over four years that is about $39,392 in tuition for residents, against $49,320 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.

Western Illinois University is a public institution in Macomb, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #18 of the 25 analyzed here with a 70.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 45% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Western Illinois University admits 71% of applicants, more selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%. The university enrolls 6,332 students overall.

On cost, Western Illinois University charges $9,662 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $38,648 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Chicago, IL, Saint Xavier University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #19 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 70.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Saint Xavier University admits 84% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Saint Xavier University charges $37,755 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $151,020 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. It earns its place in the top 25 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.

Based in Jacksonville, IL, Illinois College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #20 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 69.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 64% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. Illinois College admits 78% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 942 students.

On cost, Illinois College charges $37,976 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $151,904 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public institution in Carbondale, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #21 of the 25 analyzed here with a 69.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 62% of its students, above the 61% average across the ranked schools. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admits 87% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%. The university enrolls 11,790 students overall.

On cost, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale charges $9,638 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $38,552 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Trinity Christian College is a private, nonprofit institution in Palos Heights, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #22 of the 25 analyzed here with a 69.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 58% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Trinity Christian College admits 85% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Trinity Christian College charges $19,980 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $79,920 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

Quincy University is a private, nonprofit institution in Quincy, IL. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #23 of the 25 analyzed here with a 66.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 45% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Quincy University admits 51% of applicants, more selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Quincy University charges $37,140 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $148,560 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its genuine selectivity.

Based in Lisle, IL, Benedictine University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #24 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 65.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 50% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Benedictine University admits 95% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Benedictine University charges $31,126 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $124,504 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. It earns its place in the top 25 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.

Based in Chicago, IL, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #25 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 64.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 22% of its students, below the 61% average across the ranked schools. Northeastern Illinois University admits 75% of applicants, less selective than the 72% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Illinois Wesleyan University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 22% to 85%.

On cost, Northeastern Illinois University charges $10,343 a year in-state, roughly 2.0x the $20,686 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $41,372 in tuition for residents, against $82,744 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $9,638 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to $57,500 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.