Illinois Gies vs Indiana Kelley
Which MBA program is right for you?
Illinois Gies
Indiana Kelley
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Illinois Gies | Indiana Kelley |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #44 | #24 |
| Acceptance Rate | 38% | 35% |
| Avg. GMAT | 680 | 690 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.35 | 3.35 |
| Class Size | 100 | 200 |
| Avg. Salary | $132,000 | $145,000 |
| Employment Rate | 90% | 93% |
| Annual Tuition | $29,000 | $28,274 |
The Verdict
Choose Illinois Gies if…
you want a strong Big Ten MBA in Champaign with growing online/hybrid options and tech industry connections.
Full Illinois Gies Profile →Choose Indiana Kelley if…
you want the highest-ranked Midwest public MBA, unmatched operations curriculum, and career services that punch above their weight.
Full Indiana Kelley Profile →Why People Compare These Two
Gies (#44) and Kelley (#24) are both Big Ten MBA programs in college-town settings. The 20-spot ranking gap is significant and favors Kelley for most career paths. Gies compensates with innovative program formats (including its highly-rated iMBA online program) and strong engineering and CS cross-registration opportunities through UIUC's top-ranked programs.
Academics
Gies benefits from UIUC's strengths in engineering, computer science, and data analytics. Students can take electives across these departments. Kelley's curriculum is broader with particular depth in operations, marketing, and career-switching support. If you want to blend an MBA with technical coursework, Gies offers more cross-department flexibility.
The Honest Take
Kelley is the higher-ranked, more broadly recognized program. If admitted to both, Kelley is the default choice for most careers. Gies makes sense for candidates who value UIUC's tech ecosystem, who receive significantly better financial aid, or who want to stay in the Champaign-Chicago corridor. For operations and supply chain, Kelley is unbeatable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ranking gap too large?
A 20-spot gap is meaningful for competitive national recruiting. For Midwest corporate careers, both schools are well-known. Kelley's brand carries further for consulting and finance roles.
What about the iMBA?
Gies's online iMBA is one of the top-rated online MBA programs nationally. It's a different product than the full-time residential program. Don't confuse the two in your evaluation.
Which has better tech connections?
Gies benefits from UIUC's #5-ranked CS department. Kelley has growing tech placement but can't match UIUC's engineering depth. For tech careers with a quantitative bent, Gies has a structural advantage.