Top Ranking Marketing Schools in Illinois

by Alex Morgan · August 29, 2024

Illinois is home to many things, including Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, and it’s also the home of Abraham Lincoln. Other than that, Chicago is also known for having some of the best institutions, be it colleges, universities, high schools, etc.

So, how does the marketing scene look in these schools? Which are some of the best marketing schools you can go to in Illinois? If you’re on the hunt to find them, we’ll show you just where to look. So, let’s get started.

Community Colleges vs Universities for Marketing Degrees

Community colleges in Illinois are considered more affordable and approachable than universities. However, the best universities in Illinois are considered better stepping stones for a long and fruitful career. Nevertheless, let’s compare why you should consider one or the other:

Aspects	Community Colleges	Universities
Degree Offered	Associate degrees and certificates	Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctorate
Duration of Programs	2-3 Years	4 Years
Cost	Low ($5-8k on average)	Higher ($10-26k on average)
Class Size	Smaller classes, averaging 15-20 students	Larger classes, averaging 20-25
Admissions Standards	Lenient requirements	Competitive admission standards
Career Preparation	Practical skills and workshops	Academic skills and theoretical skill development
Transfer Opportunities	Easy transfer to a full-time bachelor’s degree	Direct transfer to Master’s and higher education
Extracurricular Activities	Limited campus life and little sports opportunities	A lot of sports opportunities with extensive clubs

Therefore, if you can choose, go to a university as it has more opportunities. However, a community college can carve a career path for you just as well if you know which marketing programs to pursue.

How to Select a Business School in Illinois with Marketing Programs?

There are some of the most renowned universities in the United States, which are located in Illinois. Some of these with strong marketing programs include the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Now, you should focus on the annual fee, key features, and reasons to consider each university. Besides, you should focus on:

Degree level, whether you’re looking to pursue a Master’s or bachelor’s;
Program specializations such as fashion marketing;
Accreditation, as the institution must be AACSB accredited;
Looking up faculty and research will help you recognize relevant partnerships in the industry;
Hands-on learning opportunities such as internships, consulting projects, etc.;
And reputation and ranking on websites like World News.

For example, here’s why you should consider the four good Illinois business schools for marketing programs that we mentioned:

University	Key Features	Why Consider It?
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	Core business courses, including marketing electives in e-commerce, analytics, and global marketing.	Strong reputation, extensive alumni network, and comprehensive curriculum.
DePaul University	Integrated Marketing Education program with internships and concentrations in various fields.	The DePaul business school ranking and internships, strong connections to the business community.
Loyola University Chicago	Focus on ethical marketing practices as well as experiential learning opportunities.	Strong emphasis on ethics and social responsibility in marketing.
University of Illinois at Chicago	Core business courses with marketing electives in consumer behavior, marketing management, and analytics.	Affordable tuition despite the UIC business school ranking, diverse course offerings, and a strong focus on data-driven marketing.

While we’ll dive into these universities later, this should give you an idea of what to consider when choosing a business university in Illinois for a marketing degree.

Marketing Schools and Colleges in Illinois by Ranks

There are quite a few marketing schools in Illinois that stand out. Let’s dig deeper and see what’s special about them and why are they considered the best universities and colleges on the Illinois map:

1: Concordia University Chicago (Ranked #101 in Regional Universities Midwest)

Concordia University Chicago is one of the top marketing schools in Chicago. It has two of the best marketing degree options you can find in the state of Illinois. These programs are BS/BA in Marketing offered by this institution.

Program Title: BA/BS In Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average Cost: $13,000

You can easily pursue careers like Marketing/Sales Executive or Marketing Planner/Researcher, etc. The coursework is quite remarkable, too, as these on-campus degrees focus on key aspects of marketing, including customer behavior, marketing strategies, etc.

2: DePaul University (Ranked #151 in the US)

DePaul University is another top institution in Illinois and one of the best in the United States. This university has a strong reputation, and this excellence is earned by DePaul’s’ versatile programs. This includes their graduate and undergraduate marketing programs.

Program Title: Marketing Major, MS in Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average Cost: $44,000

The curriculum in both degrees focuses on developing theoretical skills and strategic thinking. These programs do it by building specific skills in brand management, digital marketing, and market research.

Besides, the Master’s degree also focuses on advanced marketing analytics, consumer behavior, etc. And it also offers valuable internship opportunities and opens the door to a lot of potential careers. Thus, it’s one of the top universities you can pursue today in Illinois.

3: University of Illinois (Ranked #35 in US)

The University of Illinois is another top university located in Illinois that you can choose from. It offers some exceptional programs, including marketing, which stand out in the state for being affordable and top-notch.

Program Title: BS in Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average Cost: $16,000

The Bachelor of Science here is a top marketing degree in Chicago. It will equip you with the right skills to manage marketing strategies and plan digital marketing tactics for businesses. The curriculum is quite robust and focuses on necessary marketing courses like strategic marketing, consumer insights, etc.

On top of that, you can also find various internship opportunities towards the end of the degree, which practically guarantee professional experience by the time you get through 4-years.

4: Illinois State University (Ranked #209 in US)

Illinois State University is another top choice for students who are looking to plant their feet firmly in the marketing industry. Although it’s relatively expensive, this university provides a complete marketing major with a high acceptance rate.

Program Title: Marketing Major
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average Cost: $20,000

The program will prepare you for various lead roles in marketing, such as Marketing Coordinator, Brand Manager, etc. The curriculum of this degree also emphasizes both practical and theoretical skills needed for successful marketing strategies.

That’s why this program has become one of the most sought-after options in Illinois for this industry. You also get to attend workshops and earn potential internships with major businesses in the United States.

5: Loyola University Chicago (Ranked #142 in US)

Loyola University Chicago could be your destination if you want a university that guarantees a successful marketing career. It’s a tad bit on the expensive side, but it’s a worthy option. The university provides both master’s and bachelor’s programs in marketing.

Program Title: BBA in Marketing, MS in Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average Cost: $52,000

Each of these two programs is equipped with the perfect courses to help you excel at any stage of your career. In the bachelor’s degree, you will learn basics but also skills to create a comprehensive marketing approach for businesses.

In the Master’s option, you will get to learn advanced marketing techniques and practical skills. This means focusing on advanced consumer behavior, marketing analytics, and strategic marketing. Besides, the Quinlan School of Business is also known for its lucrative internships towards the end of the degree.

6: Columbia College Chicago (Ranked #124 in Regional Universities Midwest)

Columbia College Chicago is one of the leading colleges in the state of Illinois. It shouldn’t be a surprise that it made this list, but the annual cost might be a cause of concern for a lot of students. Other than that, it has guaranteed admission with a high acceptance rate.

Program Title: BA in Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average Cost: $53,000

You get to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing degree, and this program blends creativity with strategic marketing. It helps you develop the right mindset and skills needed to understand consumer behavior and also helps build analytical abilities to develop marketing strategies.

The degree focuses on various areas of arts, media, and communication, which makes it ideal to pursue a career in traditional advertising, digital marketing, etc. That’s why it’s one of the top marketing schools you can go for in Chicago.

7: University of Illinois at Chicago (Ranked #82 in US)

The University of Illinois at Chicago is another top school in the state. It’s one of the top universities you can consider if looking to pursue a marketing degree. Besides, the UIC undergraduate business school ranking speaks for itself.

Program Titles: Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Master of Science in Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average Cost: $11,000

You get both Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in this school, which allows you to pursue higher positions in any sort of business. The bachelor’s degree will equip you with the qualifications necessary to become a Marketing Analyst, Brand Strategist, etc.

On the other hand, the Master’s degree will help you develop skills for higher-end positions in businesses. It focuses on advanced areas like marketing research and customer behavior. Thus, whether you are a graduate or undergraduate, this is another school that you should consider.

8: NIU College Of Business (Ranked #269 in US)

Northern Illinois University’s College of Business is a top choice if you’re looking to pursue a university with top programs. This institution offers both bachelor’s and master’s options. So, you can choose one or the other to elevate your chances of becoming a marketing pro.

Program Title: Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Online M.S. in Digital Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average Cost: $13,000

The bachelor’s program focuses on the basics of marketing while also developing strategic and practical skills. So, you’ll be able to pursue roles like Marketing Coordinator, Sales Representative, or Brand Manager.

Then there’s the Online MS in Digital Marketing degree. The clear benefit is that it’s online, so if you’re working, you can enroll into an online marketing degree and study from the comfort of your home. On top of that, you get to specialize in digital marketing courses, which will prepare you for higher-end roles in marketing agencies.

9: Illinois College (Ranked #124 in National Liberal Arts Colleges)

Illinois College is one of the top colleges in Illinois, and it has a lot of great programs. The marketing degree found here is online, which makes it ideal for those who wish to study from home or pursue degrees while working.

Program Title: Online Bachelor’s in Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average Cost: $36,000

The online program focuses on modern marketing strategies, and that’s why it’s ideal to help you focus on careers as a Digital Marketing Specialist or Market Research Analyst. The courses in this degree focus on consumer behavior, strategizing, content marketing, etc.

The university also promises to get you an internship or two towards the end of the program. This will give you hands-on experience while providing theoretical prowess in marketing. Therefore, it’s a good option to pursue and get started in a digital marketing career.

10: University of Illinois Springfield (Ranked #24 in Regional Universities Midwest)

University of Illinois Springfield is another well-regarded university and one of the top names in regional universities. It’s not only a strong option because of the capable marketing program but also because of its affordability and high acceptance rate.

Program Title: BBA in Marketing
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average Cost: $12,000

The degree focuses on key components of marketing through its robust curriculum. These courses focus on marketing analysis, customer behavior, strategizing, marketing types (online/digital), etc. Thus, it is the right program to pursue a career in Marketing Management, Brand Specialization, or Market Research.

Conclusion

These are some of the top schools you can go to after getting out of high school in Illinois. Some of these marketing schools also offer master’s degrees. Therefore, if you’re already a bachelor, you can simply pick the one that offers a program that aligns with your goals.

As for picking a marketing degree program, it is important to focus on what is being offered. For instance, a BS in Marketing will set you on the same career path as a BBA in Marketing. However, the devil is in the details, and you need to be mindful of the minors and other coursework in each degree choice. So, choose an option that aligns well with your academic and professional goals.

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