Top 6 Best Universities in Chicago | 2017 Ranking | Best Chicago Universities with MBA Programs (Comparison Reviews)

Table: Top 6 Best MBA Programs in Chicago| Above list is sorted alphabetically

What Are the Benefits of Chicago MBA Programs?

When people are considering MBA programs in Chicago or anywhere, they often wonder if it’s a degree program that’s worth the time, money and overall effort required to complete the program. Most people feel an MBA from one of the best universities in Chicago, or any top school is one of the most effective ways to be both prepared and competitive across many industries and in unique business situations.

MBA programs in Chicago and elsewhere provide students with skills they can’t get from many other programs, including leadership and critical thinking. It’s these soft skills that many graduates from other programs often aren’t equipped with when they enter the job market.

Some of the advantages of Chicago MBA programs at top universities in Chicago include higher earning potential, more opportunities to advance your career, and improved job security over other graduates.

One of the primary reasons people attend MBA programs in Chicago is to boost their chances of earning a higher salary, and as of 2015, the median starting salary for new MBA grads was $100,000 according to a survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council.

What people should also know is that many employers will offer flexibility and even partial payment options for current employees who want to complete Chicago MBA programs.

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Detailed Review—Top Ranking Best Universities in Chicago

Below, please find the detailed review of each of the top universities in Chicago offering MBA programs. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these Chicago universities to score so well in our selection ranking.

DePaul University Review

DePaul University is one of the top schools in Chicago and the largest Catholic university in the country. In general, it offers more than 130 undergraduate majors and more than 175 graduate programs, as well as ten schools and colleges.

When looking at Chicago MBA programs, the following are top reasons DePaul is included in this ranking of Chicago, Illinois universities.

DePaul Weekend MBA

MBA programs at this pick for one of the top universities in Chicago are offered through the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

One of the many specific program options available to students of this leader among MBA programs in Chicago is the DePaul Weekend MBA. This program is located in Downtown Chicago at the Loop Campus, and it’s a new program. This is designed for working professionals who have busy lives but want to fit an MBA program into their schedule.

It meets two Saturdays a week, and the rest of the coursework is done online.

Putting Theory into Practice

When students attend this MBA program, they learn business theory, but the entire program is also focused on helping students learn to solve real problems they’ll face in business. One way this is done is through the integration of experiences with experts and leading entrepreneurs.

Some of the projects students of the program have recently participated in include virtual trading in the Finance Lab and working with the Federal Reserve Bank on industry research.

Kellstadt degree programs also have international elements, and there are options for studying abroad when you participate in these program from this leader among Chicago universities.

Graduate Success

In general, DePaul is highly respected not just among Chicago universities and Chicago MBA programs, but the school is also a leader in the nation. Their programs are well-ranked, and they prepare students for success.

One way this is demonstrated is through graduate employment rates. 93% of graduates are employed within six months or are continuing their education. 95% of DePaul graduates are employed full-time in a job related to the degree they earned.

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Loyola University Chicago Review

One of the best universities in Chicago is Loyola University Chicago. A Jesuit school, Loyola has several campuses around the Chicago area and in addition to more than 80 undergraduate majors, offers more than 170 graduate, professional, and graduate-level certificate programs.

Some of the reasons Loyola University’s Quinlan School of Business is included on this list of the top schools in Chicago and the best MBA programs in Chicago are below.

Rankings and Recognition

The MBA program offered by the Quinlan School of Business is very well ranked and is often recognized for its excellence not just among Chicago MBA programs and universities in Chicago, Il., but also nationally.

For example, it’s named on the Princeton Review’s list of the country’s best business schools. It’s also top-ranked for its part-time MBA program compared to similar programs in the nation and also other MBA programs in Chicago.

Accreditation

The MBA program at Loyola, one of the best Chicago, Illinois, universities, is accredited by AACSB International, which is the leading accrediting organization for schools of business.

Less than 5 percent of business schools both nationally and internationally have this accreditation.

The program also includes a nationally-recognized faculty, and students have access to an extensive network of 30,000 business school alumni, many of whom are now in leadership positions around the world.

Flexible Structure

Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business, one of the top schools in Chicago offering one of the best MBA programs in Chicago, features flexible program options, which they say are in response to the evolving business environment. Students have the opportunity to study full or part time, and then knowledge can be built on by choosing advanced courses in different concentrations.

Classes are held weekday evenings on the Water Tower Campus of Loyola, which is off the Red Line, and there are also online programs. The program is based on a 10-week quarter system, and students can start in any quarter.

Image Source: Loyola University Chicago

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Northwestern University Review

Northwestern University is one of the leading universities in Chicago, Il., one of the best Illinois colleges, and one of the best in the U.S. This leader among top universities in Chicago features three campus, 12 schools and colleges, and 21,000 enrolled students.

Regarding Chicago MBA programs, the following are reasons Northwestern and the Kellogg School of Management are included on this list of top schools in Chicago.

Full-Time MBA Program

Northwestern and the Kellogg School of Business, one of the best Chicago, Illinois, universities featuring some of the best MBA programs in Chicago, also features flexible options for students. One option is the full-time MBA program.

The full-time MBA program offers specific options for concentrations, and regardless of the choice a student makes, they will leave the program with a broad-based, applicable skill set.

Irrespective of the program a student chooses, when they attend Northwestern’s Kellogg School, offering one of the premier MBA programs in Chicago, 96% of full-time graduates received job offers by three months after their graduation.

Graduates of this selection for one of the leading universities in Chicago, Illinois, and one of the top Chicago MBA programs also have access to more than 60,000 alumni around the world.

One-Year MBA Program

For students who want a fast way to get their MBA, Kellogg offers the one-year MBA program. It’s designed to have students fully immerse themselves in the curriculum while having access to excellent faculty and a support network so they can quickly finish the program and get into their career.  

This is one of the first one-year MBA programs that was ever introduced in the country, and some notable graduates include Robert Eckert, former chairman and CEO of Mattel; Emmanuel Kostas, CMO of Symantec; and William Sickles, team lead of retail at Google.

The one-year program is designed to provide an excellent curriculum and also provide a great return on investment.

MMM Program

Another unique program offered at this pick for one of the best universities in Chicago is the MMM option. The MMM program is an immersive dual-degree program that provides business education and also an education in design innovation.

A graduate of this program receives their MBA from Kellogg along with an M.S. in Design Innovation from the Segal Design Institute at McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science.

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Roosevelt University Review

A co-ed, private university with campuses in Chicago and Schaumburg, Illinois, Roosevelt University features a curriculum based on concepts of social justice. This pick for one of the best Illinois colleges and leading Chicago universities is also home to the Chicago College of Performing Arts.

When comparing top universities in Chicago based on their MBA programs, the following are specific reasons Roosevelt is included on this list of Chicago, Illinois, universities that excel.

Diverse Student Population

A big area of focus at Roosevelt that ensures it remains one of the leading Chicago universities is their dedication to having a diverse student population, and this extends to their MBA programs. U.S. News and World Report ranks this pick for one of the top schools in Chicago as having the fourth most diverse student population in the Midwest.

This gives students the opportunity to work with and learn from one another, and also take on a global perspective, which is so valuable in today’s business environment.

Program Elements

The MBA program at Roosevelt includes small classes, and opportunities for internships, networking, international study, and more programs that will build on the education students receive. The result is students who leave with advanced problem-solving abilities as well as strengths in leadership and decision-making.

There are concentrations available in many areas including accounting, finance, human resource management, information systems, international business, marketing, real estate, and more.

Accreditation

The MBA program at this pick for one of the top universities in Chicago is offered through the Heller College of Business. All programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Also, business degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

The University of Chicago Review

The University of Chicago is one of the best universities in Chicago offering some of the best MBA programs in Chicago and many other courses of study. It’s not just one of the best Chicago universities and best Illinois colleges. The University of Chicago is also ranked in the top 10 of all schools around the country and the world.

Among Chicago MBA programs, the following are reasons The University Chicago stands out among Chicago, Illinois universities.

Rankings  

The Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago is in Hyde Park, which is only a few blocks from downtown Chicago and also near the shores of Lake Michigan. The programs are well ranked regarding Chicago MBA programs, but also at the national and international levels.

Some of the areas of specialty that are top-ranked from the Booth School of Business include the Executive MBA program and the Part-Time MBA option, both of which are often ranked in the list of the top five programs of their kind in the country.

Executive MBA

As mentioned, the Executive MBA at this pick for one of the top schools in Chicago is one of their highest-ranked programs. The Executive MBA was the first program of its kind created in 1943, and now there are permanent campuses on three continents.

This prestigious MBA program is available at the school’s Chicago Campus, or in London or Hong Kong. Students are admitted to a primary campus and then study at each of the other campuses during international session weeks.

Image Source: Booth School of Business

Weekend MBA

While Northwestern and the Booth School of Business may be among the most prestigious Chicago universities and best Illinois colleges, they still offer flexible program options for MBA students.

One option is the weekend MBA in downtown Chicago. With this program, more than 70% of students commute from outside Illinois. It features flexible curriculum and in-class formats only on Friday and Saturdays, so it’s great for working professionals.

There are more than 130 courses to choose from with this program, and 14 concentration options.

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The University of Illinois at Chicago Review

The University of Illinois at Chicago is one of the best Illinois colleges and is the only among public universities in Chicago included in this ranking of Chicago MBA programs. As one of the top universities in Chicago, Illinois, UIC is a state-funded public research university, located near the North West Side of the city.

At UIC, one of the best public universities in Chicago and one of the top overall universities in Chicago, IL, the following are specifics of the MBA program that make it a leader.

Program

At this selection for one of the leading public universities in Chicago and one of the best MBA programs in Chicago, programs are offered through the Liautaud Graduate School 

As one of the best MBA programs in Chicago, students participate in a practical management program, with a focus on the core components of both business and management. The program includes 26 core credits and 28 elective credits.

The core credits focus on fundamental concepts and include financial accounting, corporate finance, marketing, microeconomics, operations management, organizational behavior, and enterprise strategy.

Tuition

While all of the universities in Chicago, Il., included in this ranking offer different types of payment options and financial aid, the University of Chicago, since it is one of the public universities in Chicago, generally offers the least expensive tuition. Tuition varies depending on residency, however.

UIC Liataud offers a variety of graduate scholarships, partial tuition waivers and assistantships as well.

Flexibility

At UIC Liataud, one of the top public universities in Chicago if you’re looking for MBA programs in Chicago, students can choose the MBA program that works with their life and their needs.

Some of the programs offered by this pick for one of the top universities in Chicago, Illinois include a full-time accelerated cohort program. This program includes daytime, on-campus classes that can be finished in as quickly as a year.

There’s also a two-year weekend MBA program, and something called the Flexible MBA Program. With this option, students can set their own pace and take classes at night, on Saturdays or online. They can also be finished in as soon as 18 months.

Conclusion—Top 6 Best Universities in Chicago

Participating in MBA programs in Chicago is undoubtedly one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a successful career or to advance your career. While the specifics of Chicago MBA programs offered by universities in Chicago, Il. can vary, they all generally offer well-rounded programs that are designed to prepare students for real-world scenarios they’ll face as leaders in the workplace.

Image Source: Pexels

The above universities in Chicago, Illinois, represent some of the top universities in Chicago in terms of Chicago MBA programs. This ranking of Chicago MBA programs and universities in Chicago, Illinois, includes both private and public universities in Chicago.

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