The Executive MBA (EMBA) program offers professionals with considerable work experience the opportunity to expand their duties or to advance their career as an executive in their field. There are several advantages of earning the degree through one of the executive MBA programs in Illinois.
What are the Advantages of Earning an Executive MBA?
Students that choose one of the executive MBA programs in Illinois are not the typical college student, or even the typical MBA program student. While students in some MBA programs typically have a couple of years work experience, the individual in an executive MBA program typically has several years work experience, and are well-established as managers.
The Executive MBA Council (EMBAC) releases annual information and survey results, often showing the advantages of earning an executive Master of Business Administration degree. The EMBAC, the global voice of the Executive MBA industry, revealed results of its 2019 EMBAC Student Exit Survey, which shows that students often received a considerable increase in salary and opportunities for promotion by the time that they graduated from the program. Another 53 percent of graduates reported increased responsibilities at their current position.
The results of the EMBAC Annual Member Program 2020 Survey revealed that 73.9 percent of schools offering executive MBA programs now offer some form of online school options, an increase from the previous year. Additional results included the fact that the overwhelming majority of EMBA programs offer career services.
The best colleges in Illinois offer outstanding potential opportunities for executives that want to expand their career opportunities and that want to increase their earnings. The stated tuition for these programs includes the cost of the full program, rather than a per credit hour cost.
1. Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University offers an MBA program that prepares graduates for middle and upper-management positions in the public or private sector. Although the program is not an executive MBA program, students still gain the opportunity to learn in a rigorous, challenging educational environment. Courses are offered in the traditional classroom environment, online and in a hybrid format.
- Tuition: est. $15,580 program cost
- Accreditation: AACSB
2. Illinois State University
Illinois State University offers a Corporate MBA program for busy executives that prefer a program in a blended format. Students complete both in-person and online requirements, and participate in the program as part of a cohort.
Course examples include Fundamentals of Strategic Decision Making, Advanced Marketing Management, and Advanced Organizational Strategy
- Tuition: est. $22,500 program cost
- Accreditation: AACSB
3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Executive MBA program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is primarily designed for senior executives. The school realizes that students in the program lead busy professional and private lives, and offers courses on weekends.
Students consult on actual business issues over an international trip and present their recommendations to the actual companies.
- Tuition: est. $36,624 program cost
- Accreditation: AACSB
4. Northern Illinois University
Build on your managerial experience with an Executive MBA from Northern Illinois University. The rigorous program consists of topics presented in modules of various lengths, rather than the traditional credit hour format.
Students expand their existing business skills, gain new communication skills, along with enhanced critical thinking skills. Learn to identify and analyze business problems and to prioritize alternative solutions. Gain the expertise to become an effective leader that possesses the skills to lead organizational change and innovation.
- Tuition: $60,000
- Accreditation: AACSB
5. Bradley University
The immersive Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program at Bradley University provides students with the opportunity to build upon their existing professional management skills, and to develop effective solutions to real-world business problems.
Professionals that enroll in the program learn from award-winning faculty that are experts in their field. Students learn to secure and maintain the customer base, to address current business issues and how to attract and develop talented employees.
- Tuition: $68,000 program cost
- Accreditation: AACSB
6. Loyola University Chicago
The Loyola University Chicago Executive MBA program is offered through the Quinlan School of Business. The program prepares students to enhance their analytic capabilities, management, critical thinking, and leadership skills. The program focuses on a hands-on approach with the opportunity to participate in an international immersion trip.
- Tuition: $92,064 program cost
- Accreditation: AACSB
7. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business offers an Executive MBA, and challenges prospective students to reach the next level of their career. Chicago Booth points to the fact that it is the only United States business school with campuses on three continents. Students also have the option of studying in London or Hong Kong. Whichever campus that a student registers at, they also study at the other two locations during the international session weeks.
Students engage with professionals in a collaborative learning environment, and learn to apply their new skills to real-world business challenges. Graduates of the 21-month program have the skills to lead with confidence.
- Tuition: $194,000 program cost
- Accreditation: AACSB
8. Northwestern University
The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University offers business professionals the opportunity to earn an Executive MBA. Gain the knowledge to lead with purpose, and to develop new skills in solving complex business problems. Students gain the skills and knowledge to enhance their complete skillset so that they can lead with confidence.
Students also benefit from the Kellogg School of Management EMBA Global Network, which provides opportunities to study at five global partner institutions.
- Tuition: $217,836 total program cost
- Accreditation: AACSB
Our Methodology
We gathered information on Illinois Executive MBA programs offered at universities throughout the state. We then ranked each school based on its program cost, ranking the programs in ascending order. Each school and program are fully accredited.
Do you need assistance finding the right school for your educational or career goals? We can help you with that, based on the program that you select.
Please contact us if you would like to have your school included in our rankings, or if you work at one of these schools and would like to update the information that we have for your school.
