Illinois has earned the nickname “Land of Lincoln” and is famed as the home state of 4 U.S. presidents. Illinois has a population of close to 13 million people, making it the 5th largest state by population in the nation. This expansive and mostly flat midwestern state houses within its borders immense corn fields, forests, and plains, and even a section of shoreline along Lake Michigan. Illinois’s major cities include the sprawling metropolis of Chicago as well as Springfield, the state capital.
With 9 public universities, 35 private colleges and universities, and 48 community colleges, Illinois provides many higher education opportunities. Well-known colleges include the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Several universities in Illinois provide for online learning, making it a perfect location for pursuing an online MBA.
Consider an Online MBA in Illinois
Distance learners attending Online MBA programs in Illinois have several advantages, including savings on tuition costs, accelerated courses, and no GMAT requirements. Prices for an online MBA in Illinois fluctuate from school to school. The University of Illinois offers a reasonable 2-year degree (considered one of the best online MBA programs in Illinois) for less than $22,000, while Southern Illinois University’s 23-month MBA cost around $36,000. Some colleges, such as the University of Illinois, waive admissions requirements for GMAT test scores, which lessens the testing fees for applicants. While many Illinois online MBA programs take 2 years to finish, some universities and colleges provide accelerated 8 week courses.
The Mason School of Business at William & Mary
Location:Williamsburg, VA
Length:24 – 36 Mos
Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University
Location:Santa Clara, CA
Length:24 Mos
California State University, Monterey Bay
Location:Seaside, CA
Length:18 – 24 Mos
Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics
Location:Seattle, WA
Length:30 Mos
University of Kansas School of Business
Location:Lawrence, KS
Length:27-36 Mos
MBA Concentrations for Students in Illinois
Online MBA programs in Illinois offer distance students the ability to emphasize on specific areas of study. Typical specializations for an online MBA include finance, marketing, and management. Adding a concentration to an online MBA in Illinois gives students an advantage when applying for a job, especially with the larger industries in the state. Two specific concentrations, business data analytics and supply chain management, offer degree holders employment advantage in the state post graduation. Both these specializations provide training for industries with the best employment numbers in Illinois, including management, production, and sales.
Illinois MBA Graduates Economy, Job, and Career Outlooks
The industries of manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality are leaders for creating new job opportunities for graduates in Illinois. In Chicago, tourism remains a key industry for the state, while the auto industry remains the foundation to the region’s manufacturing industry. Professional and business services business, especially financial companies in Chicago, also provide ample employment opportunities.
The unemployment rate in Illinois has slowly decreased over the last few years and the rate remains relatively low at 4.3%. While manufacturing was the top industry in Illinois from 1990 to 2007, the industry only accounts for 13% of the state’s economy today. Outside of educational jobs, Chicago continues to be the best place in the state for job opportunities post-graduation. Management, business and financial operations, and healthcare industries are the largest employers in the state.
Top Employers in Illinois
| Company | Industry | Headquarters City | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walgreens | Retail | Deerfield | 23,000 |
| Stat Farm Insurance | Insurance | Bloomington | 14,090 |
Online MBA Programs in Illinois
When selecting an online MBA Illinois program, students face many choices. Important factors often include program requirements and tuition costs when selecting an online MBA Illinois program. The group of schools below feature online MBA programs in Illinois.
How to Select an Online MBA Program in Illinois
There are many significant considerations to make before deciding on an online MBA program in Illinois- these include factors explained above like cost, specialization, and concentrations. The following list is made up of some necessary steps to follow during the MBA program research process (in any state).
COMPARE STUDENT OUTCOME DETAILS
Student outcomes incorporate graduation rate, retention rate, the average debt student will take on, and overall student achievement with their degree program. Student outcomes do not ensure you will be pleased with a particular program but can help pinpoint a school’s pros and cons.
CONSIDER EXPECTED COSTS OF YOUR PROGRAMS
Practically every college or university posts tuition costs online. Additionally, you should research other college-related expenses like housing accommodations and meal plans (if you plan to study on-campus), official fees, and IT fees (for online students). You should also look into grants, scholarships, and financial aid that can offset some of the expenses.
CHECK THAT CLASSES WILL FIT INTO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE
Scheduling is crucial for students with other significant commitments, such as childcare or full-time jobs. Many online programs are self-paced; students in these classes are free to complete coursework on their own schedule. Synchronous programs (on the other hand) demand weekly online meetings with teachers and other students.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
A large number of online MBA programs will include internships and capstone requirements ― and in many cases, students can obtain on-the-job training with real-world office experience. Look into the school’s industry partnerships, particularly regarding the field you plan to enter after receiving your MBA.
TALK TO CURRENT STUDENTS AND RECENT ALUMNI
You should reach out to the alumni office at each school you are weighing and ask to be connected with previous students. These individuals can be great sources of information about education costs, life on (or off) campus, local tips, and other fundamental details for aspiring MBA students.