Illinois · International Business

Best colleges for International Business in Illinois

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Loyola University Chicago and Illinois State University award the most International Business degrees in Illinois: 38, 31 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Illinois colleges offer International Business and award 136 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The International Business program focuses on the global aspects of business operations, preparing students to navigate the complexities of international trade and commerce. This program is ideal for individuals who aspire to work in…

Institutions
14
offering CIP 52.11
States offered
49
with a program page
Degrees / yr
136
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$52,357
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,052
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
66%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · General and Operations Managers
$135,540
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$55,4963173%$33,454$25,000
2Illinois State University
Normal Public · Bachelor's degree
$52,4912565%—$19,059
3Bradley University
Peoria Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$52,357276%$21,768—
4Augustana College
Rock Island Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$37,350473%$14,960$25,500

Colleges awarding the most International Business degrees in Illinois

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign Public
38Not reported
2Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit
31$55,496
3Illinois State University
Normal Public
25$52,491
4North Central College
Naperville Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
5University of St Francis
Joliet Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
6Augustana College
Rock Island Private not-for-profit
4$37,350
7Benedictine University
Lisle Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
8Millikin University
Decatur Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
9Dominican University
River Forest Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
10Elmhurst University
Elmhurst Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
Show the other 4 Illinois colleges offering International Business
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnaisPrivate not-for-profit3
Bradley UniversityPeoriaPrivate not-for-profit2
Lewis UniversityRomeovillePrivate not-for-profit2
Monmouth CollegeMonmouthPrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~308,700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$102,950
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What General and Operations Managers earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
171,300
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$135,540
median $103,570
Best-paying metro
$143,740
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

General and Operations Managers
$135,540 avg · 171,300 jobs
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
$89,910 avg · 32,940 jobs
Chief Executives
$347,550 avg · 4,620 jobs
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
$108,900 avg · 3,580 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing International Business programs in Illinois.

Which Illinois colleges award the most International Business degrees?+

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (38 graduates a year), Loyola University Chicago (31 graduates a year) and Illinois State University (25 graduates a year) award the most International Business degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Illinois colleges offer International Business.

Which International Business program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Loyola University Chicago tops the list at $55,496. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do General and Operations Managers earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for General and Operations Managers in Illinois is $135,540 (median $103,570), across about 171,300 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the International Business program?+

The International Business program focuses on the global aspects of business operations, preparing students to navigate the complexities of international trade and commerce. This program is ideal for individuals who aspire to work in…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, monitoring, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for General and Operations Managers?+

The national job outlook is about +4.4% growth with around 308,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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