This overview of accounting schools in Illinois will help you find the information you need to compare schools and make an informed decision about what accounting degree is best for you. The public and private colleges and universities in Illinois offer a variety of accounting majors such as government accounting, internal auditing, and managerial accounting. You may also find that online accounting schools are a convenient and flexible alternative to traditional on-campus courses. Read on below to find out more information about program rankings, degree options, and post-graduation career opportunities in the field of accounting.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Illinois Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Illinois to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

SchoolAccreditationAccounting Degree(s)Acceptance Rate10Grad Rate1Avg Net Price1Median Debt*10Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry**10
Augustana College—BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		69.1%79%$24,472$27,000$61,991
Aurora University—BS-Accounting86.4%55%$17,410$20,318$53,159
Benedictine University—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		80.0%47%$24,746$22,500$61,453
Blackburn College—BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		66.2%46%$19,016$24,242$41,589
Bradley UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc;
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting		75.9%76%$25,312$27,000$66,315
Concordia University-ChicagoACBSPBA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting		87.8%43%$18,817$23,000$51,219
DePaul UniversityAACSBBSB-Accountancy;
Minor-Accountancy;
MBA-Accountancy;
MS-Accounting		69.4%70%$31,872$23,168$67,245
Dominican University—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		80.9%52%$18,476$24,411$56,955
Eastern Illinois UniversityAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accountancy		71.7%51%$13,669$21,500$50,741
Elmhurst University—BA-Accounting71.3%68%$24,018$20,489$58,657
Eureka College—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		86.7%52%$20,931$23,250$44,812
Governors State University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		52.1%16%$9,943$18,618$52,665
Greenville University—BS-Accounting79.5%48%$21,848$23,875$44,195
Hebrew Theological College—BA-Accounting80.0%6%$3,914$14,000$28,130
Illinois College—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		74.8%64%$18,914$25,565$51,953
Illinois State UniversityAACSBBS-Accountancy;
BS-Accounting: Business Analytics;
BS-Accounting: Accounting Information Systems;
BS-Accounting: Career Specialty;
BS-Accounting: Financial Accounting;
BS-Accounting: Business Information Systems Accounting;
Minor-Accountancy;
Integrated BS/MPA-Accountancy & Information Systems;
Integrated BS/MPA-Professional Accountancy;
MS-Accountancy;
Grad Cert-Data Scientist: Business Information Systems in Accounting;
Grad Cert-Forensic Accounting;
Grad Cert-IS Audit and Control Specialist		91.5%67%$21,033$20,482$58,781
Illinois Wesleyan University—BS-Accounting45.2%81%$30,610$27,000$66,591
Judson University—BA-Accounting62.4%67%$18,266$25,000$51,562
Lewis UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting/MBA		71.3%60%$18,312$21,500$61,393
Loyola University ChicagoAACSBBBA-Accounting;
BBA-Accounting and Analytics;
Minor-Accounting Information Systems;
MS-Accountancy;
MS/MBA-Accountancy		77.0%72%$29,371$24,157$66,791
McKendree UniversityIACBEBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		77.7%56%$25,492$23,250$51,819
Millikin UniversityACBSPBA-Accounting74.8%55%$20,055$27,000$46,513
Monmouth College—BA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting		65.6%55%$17,935$27,000$49,661
North Central College—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		68.4%64%$26,207$24,500$57,787
North Park UniversityIACBEBSBA-Accounting67.1%61%$20,260$25,500$55,242
Northeastern Illinois UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		62.1%21%$14,133$14,600$50,312
Northern Illinois University—BS-Accountancy;
MAcc;
Master of Accounting Science (MAS);
Grad Cert-Advanced Study in Accountancy;
Grad Cert-Advanced Study in Accounting Analytics		70.5%51%$13,265$22,162$55,380
Northwestern University—PhD-Accounting Information and ManagementN.Av.95%$29,999$19,000$34,568
Olivet Nazarene University—BS-Accounting60.6%64%$20,431$25,000$50,851
Quincy University—BA-Accounting59.8%42%$16,423$24,000$47,879
Rockford UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		66.8%32%$23,305$22,274$52,541
Roosevelt UniversityACBSPBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		92.3%40%$23,964$22,000$45,701
Saint Xavier University—BBA-Accounting84.8%52%$13,419$22,223$55,564
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleAACSBBS Accounting;
MAcc;
Grad Cert-Accounting Analytics;
Grad Cert-Accountancy Foundation;
Grad Cert-Accountancy Taxation		95.2%45%$15,976$21,543$50,562
Southern Illinois University-EdwardsvilleAACSBBS-Accounting;
MS-Accountancy		98.1%52%$15,519$20,500$54,293
Trinity Christian CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		76.2%67%$14,700$25,009$52,079
University of Illinois ChicagoAACSBBS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		78.8%62%$10,725$16,704$64,108
University of Illinois Springfield—BA-Accounting;
MAcc		79.5%53%$11,965$19,128$52,925
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignAACSBBS-Accountancy;
BS-Accountancy & Data Science;
MAcc;
iMS-Accountancy		59.7%85%$14,272$19,500$77,368
University of St. FrancisACBSPMBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		68.2%65%$16,949$21,079$60,919
Western Illinois UniversityAACSBBBA;
MAcc		72.5%51%$11,666$25,251$52,612

Table Notes:
*Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on ​​National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
**Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Illinois

College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.

College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023

  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (#3)
  • DePaul University (#43)
  • Loyola University Chicago (#83)
  • Illinois State University (#98)
  • University of Illinois at Chicago (#111)
  • Bradley University (#118)
  • Illinois Wesleyan University (#136)
  • Augustana College (#152)
  • Northern Illinois University (#182)2

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

  • DePaul University
  • Illinois Wesleyan University
  • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign3

US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023

  • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (#3)
  • University of Chicago (#6)
  • Northwestern University (#29 tie)4

US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023

  • Loyola University Chicago (#8 tie)
  • University of Illinois-Chicago (#12 tie)
  • DePaul University (#20 tie)
  • University of Illinois–Springfield (#32 tie)
  • Eastern Illinois University (#98 tie)
  • Concordia University Chicago (#112 tie)
  • Governors State University (#112 tie)
  • Illinois College (#112 tie)
  • Western Illinois College (#112 tie)
  • University of St. Francis (#127 tie)
  • McKendree University (#157 tie)
  • Judson University (#170-214)5

US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023

  • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (#2)
  • Loyola University Chicago (#32 tie)6

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases reports including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.11 The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Illinois in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in Illinois being 64.8%:

  1. Olivet Nazarene University 70.6%
  2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 70.2%
  3. Eastern Illinois University 69.6%
  4. Trinity Christian College 60.7%
  5. Bradley University 57.1%
  6. Dominican University 55.6%

*As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.

Schools in Illinois with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Illinois, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

DePaul University

At DePaul University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) in Accounting to learn how to analyze and communicate financial information. The classes emphasize the fundamentals of accounting, business, and finance, but students also gain real-world experience through coursework, case studies, and projects. Students learn critical thinking strategies as well as practical skills in forensic accounting, auditing, and accounting information systems. The career center supports professional development through interview coaching, resume workshops, and networking events. DePaul also offers a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program in accountancy, allowing students to earn both degrees and meet the 150 semester-hour CPA requirement in just five years. An optional concentration in Internal Audit is available.

Illinois Wesleyan University

Students at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. This program prepares graduates to prepare, analyze, and utilize accounting information to make decisions for private companies, public accounting firms, government organizations, and not-for-profit groups. Core classes include Financial Management, Accounting Information Systems, Accounting and Auditing Processes, and Business Law, and students interested in work experience can complete an optional internship during their junior year. Undergraduate students may meet the general 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure over the course of their bachelor’s degree, which typically takes an extra year at other universities, by utilizing the school’s May Term program or taking occasional extra classes throughout the course of their four-year degree.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) offers both a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accountancy and a BS in Accountancy and Data Science. In both programs, students learn foundational business and accounting knowledge as well as practical skills in management accounting, accounting information systems, and taxation and auditing. This program also emphasizes interpersonal and communication skills necessary for leadership positions in organizations. The accounting curriculum includes courses such as Principles of Taxation, Decision Making for Accounting, and Auditing Standards and Practice, and students also take general education classes in the sciences and humanities. The BS in Accountancy and Data Science is specifically designed for accounting students interested in pursuing an analytics-oriented profession and requires additional courses such as Ethics and Policy for Data Science, Data Science Exploration, and Data Management, Curation & Reproducibility.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Illinois State University

At Illinois State University’s (ISU) College of Business, students can earn a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) in 30 semester hours. Students in the MSA program study foundational accounting theory and current accounting research. Core classes include Management Information Systems, Auditing Issues and Cases, and Financial Accounting Theory. The courses also focus on critical thinking skills and written and oral communication, and students learn through case studies and projects. Internship opportunities are available for students to network for future career possibilities. Most graduate students come from an accounting undergraduate academic background, and students with a non-accounting background may need to take additional prerequisites.

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago offers a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) that can be completed on a part-time or full-time schedule. Many students come from an accounting or business academic background, while others are working professionals considering a career change. Classes are held during weekday evenings, and this program prepares students to sit for the CPA examination. Students learn decision-making and leadership skills, as well as a foundational understanding of accounting practices. The coursework is a combination of individual study and group projects and discussions, and the program emphasizes collaboration among students. Classes include courses such as International Accounting, Forensic Accounting, and Entrepreneurship Law. Loyola also offers a dual degree program, which allows students to complete the MS in Accountancy and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) concurrently.

Online Accounting Programs in Illinois

Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University (SIU) offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. In this program, the final two years of undergraduate accounting coursework are available completely online. If students have previous academic credit, roughly an associate’s degree or the first two years of a four-year degree in accounting or business, they can transfer credit hours to this program. The coursework takes about 6 semesters of study that can be finished in as little as 18 months. Classes such as Cost Accounting, Taxation, Accounting Systems Operations, and Auditing each run eight weeks, although students can choose how many classes they take at a time. This program prepares graduates to work in careers in public, management, and government accounting, as well as internal auditing.

University of St. Francis

The University of St. Francis offers a fully online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Accounting. All required coursework is available online, including variations to meet accounting requirements in other states and countries. The MBA requires 36 credit hours: 12 credits of MBA core courses, 12 credits of competency area courses, and 12 credits of concentration courses. Courses within the Accounting Concentration are International Accounting and Reporting; Fraud Examination; Financial Statement Analysis; and Government & Nonprofit Accounting. Note that without a bachelor’s degree in accounting, additional foundation courses will be required for the Accounting Concentration. The online MBA Accounting program is designed to prepare students with both theoretical and practical knowledge of the business environment. The program is particularly beneficial for those seeking leadership positions within accounting and business firms. An on-campus 12-credit Certificate in Accounting is also offered.

Illinois CPA Requirements and Steps

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) maintains that CPA applicants must have a bachelor’s degree at minimum and at least 150 semester hours of college credit from a school accredited by an organization recognized by the board of examiners. There are six main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license in the state.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting or business.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Complete the AICPA Ethics Examination.
  4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  5. Apply for a license.
  6. Receive a CPA License.

1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting or business.

CPA candidates in Illinois must complete at least 150 semester hours of college-level education. This can be fulfilled with an accredited graduate degree in accounting or business, or with an undergraduate or graduate degree in any concentration, as long as 150 hours have been obtained and certain accounting and business coursework have been completed. Unique from other states, in Illinois, the 150-semester hour requirement must be fulfilled before a candidate is approved to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. Once the educational requirement has been fulfilled, candidates must submit the online Domestic Credential Evaluation application in order to be approved to take the Uniform CPA Exam.

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

Illinois CPA candidates must complete one year of full-time experience with at least 20 workdays per month totaling at least 1,500 hours. The candidate may also qualify by working part-time for between one and four years and obtaining at least 2,000 hours of work experience. Experience may be gained in accounting, audit, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, consulting, or related attestation. This experience can be earned in public, private, government, or academic practice. The experience may only be received after the candidate has completed 120 hours of undergraduate education and a baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration or equivalent.

3. Complete the AICPA Ethics Examination.

Prospective Illinois CPAs must take and complete the Association of International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) ethics course and exam. The course, entitled Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course, is a self-study course that concludes with the exam. The course and exam may be taken before or after the Uniform CPA Exam. The AICPA exam requires a score of at least 90% and exam results do not expire.

4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

Illinois CPA Exam candidates must apply to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) exam through the IBOE online portal. Candidates must create an online account and submit the exam application and necessary credentials. Once a candidate’s credentials have been reviewed, the candidate will receive an approval letter via email, and the application for the Uniform CPA Exam will be submitted to NASBA. The exam will consist of four parts that must be taken and passed with a score of 75 or higher within a rolling 18-month period.

5. Apply for a license.

Once the Uniform CPA and AICPA Ethics Exams have been passed, candidates will receive a certificate of completion for meeting the education and exam requirements to become a CPA in Illinois. After receiving their CPA certificate, candidates must submit the licensure application online along with any associated fees on the IDFPR website.

6. Receive a CPA License.

After applying on the IDFPR website applicants will be able to check the status of their license through the Department’s online portal. Applications usually take six to eight weeks to process. Once the application is processed applicants will receive an email verifying approval and with a link to print out their license.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

After the CPA license has been issued, candidates must complete 120 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) during each three-year license renewal period, at least four hours of which must be in professional ethics. You can find additional information on the IDFPR website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Illinois

With the city of Chicago and several major metropolitan areas within its borders, Illinois offers many opportunities for accounting grads. In addition to the options of starting a new accounting firm in one of Illinois’ many cities or seeking a position in accounting in state or local government, accounting grads can choose to work for the major accounting firms headquartered in Illinois. Baker Tilly, one of the 20 largest US accounting firms, maintains offices in Chicago and Oak Brook. Mowery & Schoenfeld is based in the Chicago suburb of Lincolnshire and is focused on providing accounting services to businesses. Mowery & Schoenfeld provides competitive benefits to well-qualified accounting grads who join its team. Another top 20 accounting firm, Wipfli, has six offices in and around Chicago. Whether students choose to work at one of these firms or for any number of other CPA offices or businesses, there are many opportunities for those with an accounting degree.

Illinois Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Bloomington600$79,280
Carbondale-Marion330$63,000
Champaign-Urbana560$70,420
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin41,390$87,670
Rockford670$68,270
Springfield1,080$77,820

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Illinois

  • Grant Thornton: Chicago-based firm that is proud to offer career advancement and growth opportunities beyond those offered by competitors, including continuing education and international opportunities.
  • BDO USA: With offices in Chicago, Oak Brook, and Rosemont, BDO serves over 100 publicly traded companies with a network encompassing 135 countries across the world and recruits recent graduates for its assurance, consulting, and tax areas on a regular basis.
  • Crowe: Maintains offices in Oakbrook Terrace, Chicago, and Springfield, IL, and serves multiple industries with its comprehensive accounting and consulting services.

Illinois Accounting Associations

  • Independent Accountants Association of Illinois (IAAI): Works to provide accounting and tax professionals with continuing education, representation, up-to-date technology, and opportunities for professional interaction.
  • Illinois CPA Society: One of the largest CPA societies in the country with over 23,000 members, the Illinois CPA Society provides Illinois accountants with educational and employment opportunities, timely and relevant industry information, and advocacy on both industry and government fronts.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual Best Accounting Schools 2023: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/rankings/top-ranked/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2023 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2022.
4. US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
5. US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/online-bachelors-business-rankings
6. US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
7. Association to Advance College Schools of Business, Accredited Universities and Schools, Business & Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accredited Schools, Separate Accounting: https://acbspsearch.org/
9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education, Members: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/
10. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data
11. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2019 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
12. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Illinois: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_il.htm
13. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/pa.html