Accounting Schools in Illinois
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.
Quick Facts
- 83 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Illinois.1
- 41 schools offer a certificate in accounting.1
- 39 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.1
- 38 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.1
- 17 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.1
- 9 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.2
- 3 schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.3
- 3 programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.4
- 12 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.5
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.6
- 11 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.7
- 10 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).8
- 3 schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).9
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. For further school statistics, including median SAT, ACT, and GMAT scores, see the tables on our Illinois business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
| School | Accreditation | Accounting Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate10 | Grad Rate1 | Avg Net Price1 | Median Debt*10 | Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry**10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana College | — | BA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 69.1% | 79% | $24,472 | $27,000 | $61,991 |
| Aurora University | — | BS-Accounting | 86.4% | 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 University | AACSB | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MAcc; Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting | 75.9% | 76% | $25,312 | $27,000 | $66,315 |
| Carl Sandburg College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 44% | $3,676 | $4,909 | $36,447 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College | ACBSP | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Clerk | N.Av. | 24% | $4,068 | $5,750 | $34,157 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Clerk | N.Av. | 25% | $4,707 | $6,997 | $32,719 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College | — | AA-Accounting | N.Av. | 29% | $5,313 | $6,180 | $27,595 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Clerk | N.Av. | 16% | $5,670 | $7,646 | $27,458 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Clerk | N.Av. | 33% | $3,690 | $4,500 | $36,836 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Clerk | N.Av. | 29% | $3,439 | $6,500 | $38,908 |
| College of DuPage | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Advanced Accounting; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Business Environment and Concepts; UG Cert-Paraprofessional Accountant | N.Av. | 22% | $5,440 | $10,410 | $45,341 |
| College of Lake County | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Technician; UG Cert-Professional Accounting | N.Av. | 29% | $5,486 | $8,735 | $40,885 |
| Concordia University-Chicago | ACBSP | BA-Accounting; BS-Accounting | 87.8% | 43% | $18,817 | $23,000 | $51,219 |
| Danville Area Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 42% | $3,615 | $7,218 | $34,878 |
| DePaul University | AACSB | BSB-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 University | AACSB | BSBA-Accounting; Minor-Accountancy | 71.7% | 51% | $13,669 | $21,500 | $50,741 |
| Elgin Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Bookkeeping | N.Av. | 43% | $4,140 | $7,390 | $42,783 |
| Elmhurst University | — | BA-Accounting | 71.3% | 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-Accounting | 79.5% | 48% | $21,848 | $23,875 | $44,195 |
| Heartland Community College | — | AA-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Bookkeeping | N.Av. | 42% | $9,465 | $7,826 | $36,152 |
| Hebrew Theological College | — | BA-Accounting | 80.0% | 6% | $3,914 | $14,000 | $28,130 |
| Highland Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; BAA-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounts Clerk; UG Cert-Professional Tax Preparer; UG Cert-Quickbooks Professional | N.Av. | 36% | $7,289 | $8,029 | $35,477 |
| Illinois Central College | — | AA-Accountancy; UG Cert-Bookkeeping | N.Av. | 33% | $8,527 | $8,900 | $34,798 |
| Illinois College | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 74.8% | 64% | $18,914 | $25,565 | $51,953 |
| Illinois State University | AACSB | BS-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 Valley Community College | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Basic Accounting; UG Cert-Advanced Accounting | N.Av. | 37% | $6,259 | $8,233 | $38,521 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | — | BS-Accounting | 45.2% | 81% | $30,610 | $27,000 | $66,591 |
| John A Logan College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 26% | $6,142 | N.Av. | $31,782 |
| John Wood Community College | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 44% | $5,664 | $8,029 | $35,370 |
| Joliet Junior College | ACBSP | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 19% | $5,304 | $9,711 | $38,215 |
| Judson University | — | BA-Accounting | 62.4% | 67% | $18,266 | $25,000 | $51,562 |
| Kankakee Community College | — | UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 34% | $8,506 | $9,969 | $36,589 |
| Kaskaskia College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Small Business Accounting | N.Av. | 31% | $4,486 | $3,750 | $34,989 |
| Lake Land College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 49% | $5,219 | $6,188 | $35,519 |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 46% | $4,137 | $6,751 | $37,825 |
| Lewis University | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting/MBA | 71.3% | 60% | $18,312 | $21,500 | $61,393 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | — | AA-Accounting; AAS-Accounting Specialist | N.Av. | 40% | $4,604 | $11,011 | $35,787 |
| Loyola University Chicago | AACSB | BBA-Accounting; BBA-Accounting and Analytics; Minor-Accounting Information Systems; MS-Accountancy; MS/MBA-Accountancy | 77.0% | 72% | $29,371 | $24,157 | $66,791 |
| McHenry County College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Tax Practitioner | N.Av. | 32% | $5,816 | $6,260 | $42,560 |
| McKendree University | IACBE | BBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 77.7% | 56% | $25,492 | $23,250 | $51,819 |
| Millikin University | ACBSP | BA-Accounting | 74.8% | 55% | $20,055 | $27,000 | $46,513 |
| Monmouth College | — | BA-Accounting; BS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | 65.6% | 55% | $17,935 | $27,000 | $49,661 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | — | UG Cert-Accounting Assistant/Clerk | N.Av. | 34% | $1,831 | $9,500 | $40,081 |
| Morton College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 21% | $6,382 | $8,000 | $38,409 |
| North Central College | — | BBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 68.4% | 64% | $26,207 | $24,500 | $57,787 |
| North Park University | IACBE | BSBA-Accounting | 67.1% | 61% | $20,260 | $25,500 | $55,242 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | AACSB | BS-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 Management | N.Av. | 95% | $29,999 | $19,000 | $34,568 |
| Oakton Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Associate; UG Cert-Accounting Technology | N.Av. | 29% | $6,143 | $5,250 | $45,626 |
| Olivet Nazarene University | — | BS-Accounting | 60.6% | 64% | $20,431 | $25,000 | $50,851 |
| Olney Central College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Professional Bookkeeper; UG Cert-Quickbooks | N.Av. | 57% | $6,321 | $6,500 | $34,766 |
| Parkland College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 33% | $8,093 | $8,548 | $38,874 |
| Prairie State College | — | AAS-Accounting and Business Management | N.Av. | 17% | $7,059 | $11,000 | $35,027 |
| Quincy University | — | BA-Accounting | 59.8% | 42% | $16,423 | $24,000 | $47,879 |
| Richland Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Specialist; UG Cert-Advanced Accounting; UG Cert-Basic Accounting | N.Av. | 38% | $5,524 | $8,256 | $37,735 |
| Rock Valley College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting/Income Tax Fundamentals; UG Cert-Professional Bookkeeper | N.Av. | 32% | $9,676 | $8,500 | $37,576 |
| Rockford University | IACBE | BS-Accounting; BA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 66.8% | 32% | $23,305 | $22,274 | $52,541 |
| Roosevelt University | ACBSP | BSBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MS-Accounting | 92.3% | 40% | $23,964 | $22,000 | $45,701 |
| Saint Xavier University | — | BBA-Accounting | 84.8% | 52% | $13,419 | $22,223 | $55,564 |
| Sauk Valley Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Bookkeeping (Accounting) | N.Av. | 43% | $9,077 | $8,250 | $35,874 |
| Shawnee Community College | — | AAS-Accounting | N.Av. | 40% | $2,859 | N.Av. | $28,289 |
| South Suburban College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 16% | $5,021 | N.Av. | $30,738 |
| Southeastern Illinois College | — | AA-Accounting | N.Av. | 39% | $7,261 | N.Av. | $31,803 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | AACSB | BS 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-Edwardsville | AACSB | BS-Accounting; MS-Accountancy | 98.1% | 52% | $15,519 | $20,500 | $54,293 |
| Southwestern Illinois College | — | AAS-Accounting; AA-Accounting; UG Cert-Bookkeeping | N.Av. | 29% | $7,124 | $6,908 | $33,643 |
| St. Augustine College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 99% | $15,337 | $4,423 | $32,284 |
| Trinity Christian College | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 76.2% | 67% | $14,700 | $25,009 | $52,079 |
| Triton College | ACBSP | AAS-Accounting/Finance; AA-Account and Business Administration; UG Cert-Accounting Assistant | N.Av. | 23% | $6,017 | $9,413 | $40,896 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | AACSB | BS-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-Champaign | AACSB | BS-Accountancy; BS-Accountancy & Data Science; MAcc; iMS-Accountancy | 59.7% | 85% | $14,272 | $19,500 | $77,368 |
| University of St Francis | ACBSP | MBA-Accounting; Grad Cert-Accounting | 68.2% | 65% | $16,949 | $21,079 | $60,919 |
| Waubonsee Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 33% | $6,455 | $7,000 | $41,917 |
| Western Illinois University | AACSB | BBA; MAcc | 72.5% | 51% | $11,666 | $25,251 | $52,612 |
| William Rainey Harper College | ACBSP | AAS-Accounting Associate; UG Cert-Accounting Assistant; UG Cert-Accounting Bookkeeper/Clerk; UG Cert-Advanced Accounting Bookkeeper/Clerk; UG Cert-Professional Accounting-CPA Preparation; UG Cert-Tax Accounting Assistant | N.Av. | 38% | $7,112 | $10,184 | $46,688 |
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
Other Popular Articles: Online Accounting Degrees in Illinois | Online Business Degrees in Illinois | Online MBA Programs in Illinois | Business Schools in Illinois
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%:
- Olivet Nazarene University 70.6%
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 70.2%
- Eastern Illinois University 69.6%
- Trinity Christian College 60.7%
- Bradley University 57.1%
- 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
The Illinois Board of Examiners (ILBOE) 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. Students must have completed 30 semester hours of undergraduate- or graduate-level accounting courses and 24 semester hours in a different area of business. After fulfilling these requirements, individuals can take the Uniform CPA Examination. Once they have passed, aspiring CPAs must acquire a year of supervised work experience in accounting or a related field. This work experience must be documented and confirmed by a supervising CPA. Individuals can then apply for licensure to become a CPA in the state of Illinois. Licensure must be maintained through continuing professional education (CPE) hours, through which professionals keep up-to-date in the industry through courses and self-study.
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 Area | Accountants & Auditors Employed12 | Average Annual Salary12 |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 600 | $79,280 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 330 | $63,000 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 560 | $70,420 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 41,390 | $87,670 |
| Rockford | 670 | $68,270 |
| Springfield | 1,080 | $77,820 |
Schools with Accounting Degree Programs in Illinois
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
College of DuPage
425 22nd St
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 942-2800
https://www.cod.edu/
Student Review: “I found the campus convenient to access as it was near a major toll road. There were many parking lots, but they were often very full and it could take a long time to find a parking spot. The accounting professors were all older men and one woman who had real life experience in their fields, which is great. At a lot of universities, teaching assistants are used to teach classes, especially classes for underclassmen. The program was hard and was a considerable amount of work, but if you studied you would be okay. I was extremely pleased at how much I learned and how much more business savvy I became. Everything I learned is applicable in real life situations and I find that I better understand people when they talk about “business” in the office. It was refreshing to take a program where I actually felt like the material was applicable and useful.” -student at College of DuPage
Loyola University
1032 W Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 274-3000
https://www.luc.edu/
Student Review: “This school, specifically the Quinlan School of Business, is considered to be prestigious in the city of Chicago. It is a fantastic school with some occasional downfalls. The accounting program is tough and one of the lengthiest programs at the school, and for good reason. There is a lot to learn and it is essential to be prepared for the CPA exam or to continue into a masters program. My major dislike is one I would also consider as one of my major likes about the program – the professors. My first accounting professor, who was the reason I transferred to accounting, was wonderful. She was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about accounting. She reflected that through her students. I had another professor who gave up his successful career in order to teach because it was his passion. He loved his students and never missed a day. A few other teachers however, were either well past their teaching years or they were dull and uninterested. In order for a student to be passionate, the teacher needs to be passionate. Other positives are the internships that can be procured while attending this school. There is a great career services center and the classes here will prepare you for any internship with many big companies, considering we are in Chicago.” -student at Loyola University
Oakton Community College
7701 North Lincoln Avenue
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 635-1600
https://www.oakton.edu/
Student Review: “I enjoyed my college experience. My professor for my summer school class was very approachable and you could tell she was fond of her job, so she took it seriously. My accounting professors throughout the year though, were pretty boring, so I felt like the class wasn’t being taken seriously. But overall, I loved the accounting program I was in.” -Student at Oakton Community College
South Suburban College
15800 State St
South Holland, IL 60473
(708) 596-2000
https://www.ssc.edu/
Student Review: “So far I have taken only one accounting course and I plan to take several more to finish up my accounting associates degree. My experience with accounting at South Suburban has been an excellent one. The professor who I took financial accounting with is younger and does a great job of explaining difficult concepts such as LIFO and FIFO and reconciliation of accounts. The only challenge I have faced is purchasing the required materials for this class which include a pricey textbook and online code. With strategic enrollment, I am scheduled to graduate a year from now.” -Brittany V., student at South Suburban College
University of Illinois at Chicago
1200 W Harrison St #3030,
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 996-5602
https://www.uic.edu/
Student Review: “All in all, the accounting program at UIC was very solid. I had a fantastic time but was also strapped for time on numerous occasions while juggling a secondary biology degree. However the classes/workload were very fair, and I learned a fair amount of knowledge while taking the course. However if I were to do it again I would have focused more time on my studies as opposed to hanging out with friends and such, since UIC has a very nice student body. I liked the professors at the school, however I disliked the amount of busy work that was assigned, and lack of real world applications. I’d give it a 4 out of 5 though, and would recommend it to others looking to go into the field.” -David H., student at University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
901 West Illinois St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-0302
https://illinois.edu/
Student Review: “Going to school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and getting a dual degree in both accounting and finance was a fantastic decision. Their accounting program is consistently ranked in a top few colleges in the nation, and the classes are very thorough, yet manageable. The accounting classes at UIUC take a very interesting approach, as most of the assignments are case-based. Students are given a case (anywhere from 1-50 pages) of background information on a company, and then a question(s) on that company. These cases are done about an equal amount in groups and on your own. This approach to learning provides students with a very realistic way to learn. Having worked a full-time job for a few months now, groups at my company approach client projects and issues in a similar way. Having dealt with approaching situations like this in college, I find myself feeling more comfortable and very grateful for all of the practice and experience I gained at UIUC.” -Dan W., student at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Student Review: “My accounting experience at the University of Illinois was one of a kind. The facilities and curriculum are designed to treat you like a young professional and prepare you for the challenges you will face in your first years of accounting. The classes are focused on teaching you the principles of accounting and to think critically about the business. For example, there are mandatory classes that focus on control systems, business ethics, and sustainable business strategies. These classes helped me understand the operations of business as a whole, instead of just the bookkeeping work. The faculty is outstanding. Many of the professors have strong professional background prior to entering academia, which means you will get taught by people with real world experience. My last class at the university was taught by a doctoral student who previously worked as an audit partner for Deloitte. I know that my education at the University of Illinois has set me above other graduates in the same field of study. If you are thinking about attending this school, it has my full recommendation.” -student at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Related Accounting Degree State Pages:
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/results/
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