Home to the third-largest city in the United States and boasting the most robust economy in the Midwest, Illinois is a state in transition. An economy rooted in agriculture and other traditional industries is in the midst of a transition to the next era in business, one that’s founded on the use of data to guide decision-making.
Sponsored School(s)
Many Illinois businesses are already embracing this change, and colleges and universities in the state are following suit. Of the dozens of institutions of higher learning in Illinois that offer business or data education, we’ve identified the five that do the best job of combining the two disciplines in degrees that combine flexibility and affordability.
SEE ALSO: Best Masters in Business Analytics Online Ranking
We’ve ranked the top five Illinois business analytics programs based on their overall cost to earn the degree in question as well as whether any of the degrees can be earned entirely online. All five universities on our list are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Our Selection Criteria
- Reputation: How the university and program is thought of by its peers.
- Credibility: How well the program ranks in major degree rating publications.
- Flexibility: How flexible the program is in terms of online class times, time to complete degree, etc.
- Value: Comparison of the quality of education to cost.
Programs in This Section
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Saint Xavier University
- University of Illinois Chicago
- DePaul University
- University of Chicago
#1. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business
1 Hairpin Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62026
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Concentration (Online)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Science in Computer Management and Information Systems, Business Analytics Specialization
Program Description:
By far the most affordable degree on our list, the Master of Business Administration at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is also one of only two that can be earned entirely online. With an option to complete the degree in as little as one year, SIUE students get the benefit of an accelerated course of study that’s rooted in real-world experiences meant to elevate technical skill and managerial competence. A business analytics concentration is designed for students who want to earn hands-on skills in harnessing data for decision-making purposes, and relevant coursework in that track includes Business Intelligence and Analytics and Quantitative Analysis. More technologically minded students have an alternative degree option, the Master of Science in Computer Management and Information systems with a specialization in business analytics.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree, recent admits average 3.2 GPA and 520 GMAT score
Tuition
$17,787 (36 credit-hours)
Online?
Yes
Visit School
https://online.siue.edu/programs/mba-ba.aspx
#2. Saint Xavier University Graham School of Management
3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60655
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Digital Marketing Concentration (Online)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- None
Program Description:
Offered online and in person, Saint Xavier University’s Master of Business Administration with digital marketing concentration is offered by the university’s Graham School of Management. The second of two primary business analytics degrees on our list that can be completed online, this degree focuses on some of the most in-demand skills for job candidates, including web analytics, social media and SEO. Accelerated courses allow the degree to be earned in about a year for motivated students, and the program does not require a GMAT or GRE score for U.S. students. Applicable coursework in the concentration includes Web Analytics and Market Behavior.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree, at least a 3.0 GPA; international students require GRE or GMAT
Tuition
$38,961 (39 credit-hours)
Online?
Yes
Visit School
https://www.sxu.edu/academics/gsm/mba.asp
#3. University of Illinois Chicago Business Liautaud Graduate School
1200 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Concentration
Program Description:
A Master of Science in Business Analytics degree from the Liautaud Graduate School at the University of Illinois Chicago Business is a 32 credit-hour program that motivated learners can complete in as little as a year. It’s designed for people who desire a rigorous technology education, as coursework will give students hands-on experience with data science and business analytics tools like R, Python, Spark, Tableau and others. Relevant courses include Programming for Data Science in Business and Decision Analysis, or students may opt for a Master of Business Administration degree with a business analytics concentration, depending on their personal interests and existing skills.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree, at least a 3.0 GPA; GMAT or GRE score, no minimum published
Tuition
$25,376 (32 credit-hours)
Online?
No
Visit School
https://business.uic.edu/graduate-programs/graduate-degrees/master-science-business-analytics/
#4. DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
1 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- None
Program Description:
DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics that’s among the most in-depth, and most expensive, of the five schools on our list. With 52 credit-hours required, the degree will take most students two years to complete, but the program is STEM-designated, which is beneficial for many learners, particularly international students. In addition to being among the most rigorous programs on our list, DePaul’s degree is also one of the few that does not require applicants to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Relevant class options include Business Performance Analysis and Decision-Making for Managers.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree, at least a 2.5 GPA
Tuition
$56,160 (52 credit-hours)
Online?
No
Visit School
#5. University of Chicago Booth School of Business
5801 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, IL 60637
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Concentration (STEM-eligible)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Data Analytics for Business Professionals Certification (Online), Graham School
- Master of Science in Analytics, Graham School
Program Description:
The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business offers a STEM-eligible Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in business analytics. This degree is designed to be completed in just under two years, and it’s by far the most expensive degree on our list, and it also can be earned in evening and weekend formats. While our list highlights the program’s STEM-eligible business analytics concentration, related concentrations include analytic finance (also STEM-eligible), econometrics and statistics, and marketing management. UC’s Graham School, its general graduate school, also offers other programs that business analytics professionals might find interesting, including an online certification in data analytics for business professionals. Relevant courses in the Booth MBA include Applied Regression Analysis and Managerial Decision Modeling.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree, no minimum GPA published; GMAT or GRE, no minimum score published
Tuition
$144,000 (two years)
Online?
No, but other online options
Visit School
https://www.chicagobooth.edu/mba/academics/curriculum/concentrations/business-analytics