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Business Administration

Also offered as: Major , Minor , Accountancy (Graduate Option) , Applied Management (Graduate Option) , MBA Geographic Information Sciences Option (Graduate Option) , MBA Research Option (Graduate Option)

EIU's MBA is an AACSB-accredited, flexible graduate degree for working professionals, recent grads, and career changers. Offered online, hybrid, or on campus with full- and part-time options, the 33-credit program lets you specialize in Accountancy, Applied Management, GIS, or Research — backed by real faculty support and graduates who go on to leadership roles across finance, operations, and beyond.

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Business Administration

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Degree Level
Master of Business Administration
Delivery
In Person / Fully Online
Time to Degree
3 Semesters
Credit Hours
33 Total, 33 in Major
Careers
Managers, Advertising, Accountants, Auditors
Business Administration students at EIU

Why Study Business Administration at EIU?

  • Only 6% of business schools worldwide earn AACSB accreditation — a signal to employers that this degree meets a rigorous, globally recognized standard.
  • Choose online, hybrid, or on-campus delivery, full-time or part-time, with both fall and spring start dates — so the program fits your career and personal commitments, not the other way around.
  • EIU MBA alumni hold roles like Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller, and Plant Manager at organizations ranging from State Farm and Deloitte to Eli Lilly and Caterpillar.
  • Whether you're a working professional, a recent grad, a career changer, or an international student, the program is structured to meet you at your stage and move you forward.
  • Tailor your MBA toward Accountancy, Applied Management, GIS, or Research — so your degree reflects your specific career direction, not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
See it for yourself Schedule a Visit
"After doing some research EIU felt like a place I could grow professionally while having personal support and connections even as an online student. ... Having professors who are approachable and supportive has been an invaluable resource making me feel prepared and ready to take on any challenge. ... Returning to school to finish my degree has strengthened my confidence, expanded my perspective, and reaffirmed my goals and aspirations. I am grateful for the opportunities this venture has brought my way and proud to be an EIU Panther."
Hali Smith
Class of 2027, Business Administration major
Hali Smith, Business Administration at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Across MBA paths, students complete a simulation-based capstone that applies real strategic and financial decision-making rather than staying purely theoretical.
  • MBA students can apply relevant internship experience toward elective credit, turning professional work into academic progress.
  • Students can pursue assistantships alongside coursework, gaining hands-on professional experience while earning their degree.
  • Instruction comes from faculty with real industry background, keeping coursework grounded in current business practice rather than purely academic theory.
  • Depending on the path chosen, students get option-specific experiential elements — like Applied Management's case studies and group projects, or Accountancy's CPA-focused practical coursework.
Hands-On Experience, Business Administration students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The MBA at EIU prepares students for positions of leadership in business, education and industry. The program takes a strategic management approach to learning about business and addresses a broad range of business-related skills emphasizing a combination of team work, writing, contemporary global and ethical issues, and analytical skills.

View in Catalog
$95,880
Median Salary 4 Years After Graduation

Career Outcomes

  • Marketing Managers
  • Advertising & Promotions Managers
  • Accountants & Auditors
  • General & Operations Managers
  • Financial Managers
  • Compliance Managers
  • Loss Prevention Managers

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Grow Rapidly · Openings
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)
Personality Fit Enterprising

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$15,147 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 15% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit, so federal loans alone can cover tuition and fees.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education - at EIU's rates, that can cover a good share of a part-time master's.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid →
15% of lifetime limit

$15,147 total, just 15% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Nichole Hugo
Professor Hospitality and Tourism, Graduate Coordinator of Sustainability, MBA Graduate Coordinator
nhugo@eiu.edu
Lumpkin Hall 3016
217-581-8595
Nichole Hugo Message Nichole

Message Nichole

or email nhugo@eiu.edu directly
Farhad Sadeh
Chair, School of Business & Associate Professor of Marketing
fsadeh@eiu.edu
4025
Farhad Sadeh Message Farhad

Message Farhad

or email fsadeh@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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Accountancy Business Analytics College Student Affairs Hospitality & Tourism: Entrepreneurship MBA Geographic Information Sciences Option MBA Research Option > View All Programs

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