Illinois Community Colleges
Business Administration Programs
Business administration courses across community colleges in this state, covering management, accounting, marketing, and economics.
14 colleges · 477 sections · 189 unique courses · Fall 2026
Business administration is the most-completed associate degree at Illinois community colleges, and the most flexible — graduates step into operations and management roles at small businesses, transfer to four-year business schools, or use the degree as a foundation for an MBA. Across 14 Illinois Community Colleges institutions, this term's 477 sections cover management, marketing, finance, accounting, and economics — the same core curriculum a four-year business school would expect in years 1 and 2.
The associate degree typically takes two years full-time and articulates cleanly to most Illinois four-year business programs, so students can complete the first half of a BBA at community college tuition rates before transferring. Compare colleges below by award counts, online section availability, and graduate earnings to find the best fit.
Colleges offering Business Administration
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton College | 101 | 46 | 66 | — | — |
| McHenry County College | 82 | 32 | 62 | — | — |
| Triton College | 77 | 29 | 35 | — | — |
| Waubonsee Community College | 48 | 21 | 28 | — | — |
| Parkland College | 45 | 18 | 27 | — | — |
| Morton College | 33 | 15 | — | — | — |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | 21 | 13 | — | — | — |
| South Suburban College | 21 | 16 | 11 | — | — |
| Shawnee Community College | 15 | 15 | 13 | — | — |
| Kankakee Community College | 13 | 10 | — | — | — |
| Olney Central College | 11 | 9 | — | — | — |
| Frontier Community College | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| Lincoln Trail College | 4 | 4 | — | — | — |
| Wabash Valley College | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Business Administration Availability Snapshot
How business administration sections are being offered across 14 colleges in Illinois this term (477 sections total).
Delivery format
- online242 (51%)
- in person208 (44%)
- hybrid27 (6%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)128
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)44
- Evening (5 PM and after)39
- Asynchronous / TBA266
Start dates
Sections begin on 21 distinct dates. 125 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 158 distinct instructors across 14 colleges.
Common Business Administration courses
- BUS 101Financial Accounting(25 sections)
- ACC 101Financial Accounting(17 sections)
- BUS 150INTRO BUSINESS(14 sections)
- ECO 102Principles of Economics II(13 sections)
- BUS 100Human Resource Fundamentals(12 sections)
- ECO 201Principles of Macroeconomics(11 sections)
- ECO 101Principles of Economics I(10 sections)
- BUS 141Intro to Business(9 sections)
- ACC 153Principles of Financial Accounting(8 sections)
- ECO 202Principles of Microeconomics(8 sections)
- ECO 251MICROECONOMICS(8 sections)
- BUS 107Principles of Marketing(7 sections)
Career outlook for Business Administration graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Illinois’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I get an associate in business or transfer to a four-year school first?
- For most students, completing the associate first is cheaper — Illinois community college tuition is a fraction of four-year tuition, and the first two years of a BBA are largely general-education and intro business courses that transfer 1:1. The exception is students aiming for elite business schools that prefer freshmen admits.
- What jobs can I get with an associate in business?
- Office manager, assistant manager, sales representative, account coordinator, bookkeeper, and administrative supervisor are common entry points. Many graduates use the degree to formalize an existing role they were promoted into — companies often cover or reimburse the associate's tuition for employees moving from hourly to salaried positions.
- Does business credit transfer to a Illinois four-year university?
- Yes. Most Illinois Community Colleges business associate programs are articulated to the major state university business school under a guaranteed-transfer agreement. Compare colleges below — some have stronger transfer partnerships than others, and the right college can save you a full semester at four-year tuition rates.
- How long does an associate in business take?
- Two years full-time (4 semesters of 15 credits each), or three to four years part-time. Many Illinois programs offer evening and online sections specifically for working students completing the degree alongside a full-time job.
Compare Business Administration programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Illinois’s business administration programs stack up.
Other programs in Illinois
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.