Gies College of Business’ undergraduate accounting program is ranked #1 in the nation, in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. These rankings are based on surveys of deans and senior faculty members of business programs around the country.

“Returning to the #1 position for a second consecutive year is a tremendous point of pride for our department,” said Michael Donohoe, Irwin Jecha Distinguished Professor in Accountancy and Head of the Department of Accountancy at Gies Business. “Illinois has helped shape accounting education for more than a century, but our focus is always on what comes next. This recognition reflects the continued work of our faculty and staff to innovate, our deep engagement with the profession, and the exceptional students who choose to build their careers here.”

The Department of Accountancy at Gies Business has long been known for its emphasis on blending theory with real-world practice, and the undergraduate accountancy major is no exception. Our partnerships with leading accounting firms enrich the program’s curriculum, giving learners unique opportunities to explore their options, lean into their strengths, and pursue rewarding careers. Professionals from leading accounting firms visit our classrooms, mentor our students, and actively recruit our graduates.  The program teaches in-demand data analytics skills that set learners up for success in leadership roles and future graduate studies. Action learning projects give students the chance to apply what they’re learning toward real client projects, and community service opportunities like the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program teach learners the importance of giving back.

The comprehensive design of the Gies Business accounting major pays off in a big way for learners: the average starting salary of our graduates is $84,343, and in 2024–2025, 97% of accountancy students found jobs or attended graduate school within six months of graduation. As a public land-grant institution, Gies Business and the University of Illinois are committed to feeding the talent pipeline that keeps the accounting industry strong; in 2025, University of Illinois alumni passed more than 800 sections of the four-part Uniform CPA Exam.

In addition to the recognition for undergraduate accounting, Gies’ faculty are also recognized as some of the best in the world. Gies Business currently ranks #1 in the two primary rankings of accounting research scholarship by Brigham Young University. The Department holds the #1 spot in the overall research and publications rankings and the #1 ranking in the Relevance of Accounting Research (ROAR). The research and publications rankings are determined not just on the volume of research but also on research appearing in leading journals in the field.

Gies Business has been at the forefront of accountancy education for more than 100 years. As one of the nation’s first accountancy programs, Gies boasts a proud history of innovation, advocacy, and excellence. Gies granted the nation’s first PhD in accounting in 1936; hosted the first international conference of accounting education in 1961; and launched Project Discovery, a revolutionary projects-based curriculum, in 1997. For the past century, Gies has been the home to some of the world’s top scholars, corporate CFOs, and multiple National Accounting Hall of Fame inductees.

Including accounting’s #1 ranking, Gies Business ranked among the nation’s Top 30 in eight specialty areas:

• #1 Accountancy
• #16 Finance
• #11 Marketing
• #12 Management
• #17 Management Information Systems
• #30 Production/Operations Management
• #13 Quantitative Analysis
• #23 Supply Chain Management
  

Gies Business ranks #12 in nation, #6 public business school by US News

Gies College of Business is ranked #12 in the nation and #6 among all public business schools in the latest undergraduate rankings by U.S. News & World Report. This continues Gies Business’ longstanding legacy of ranking in the Top 20 of all business schools and Top 10 among public schools.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also continues to fare well in the US News rankings. The university is ranked #34 overall and #8 among all public universities.

The quality of a Gies Business education is reflected in the success of our graduates. Ninety-six percent of the Gies Business undergraduate Class of 2025 secured a successful first destination, either employment or continuing education, within six months of graduation. Each of the College’s 11 majors boast a successful outcomes rate of at least 95 percent, underscoring the depth and quality of the education at Gies Business.

Among those graduates, 78% entered the workforce while 19% pursued additional education, reflecting a balance of immediate career placement and continued academic advancement. Compensation outcomes remained strong. Gies Business graduates reported a median starting salary of $81,000 and an average salary of $81,621, with an average signing bonus of $7,180. All three of those figures are all-time highs for Gies Business.