What Types of Business Programs Does Gies College of Business Offer?

Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois offers three main program tracks: undergraduate degrees (majors and minors), specialized graduate business degrees (some completable in as little as one year), and online graduate business programs designed for flexible scheduling. The right fit depends on where you are in your education or career and how much time you can commit.

Undergraduate Programs

Gies describes its undergraduate offerings as a broad range of business majors and minors intended to shape future leaders and innovators. The curriculum spans foundational business courses plus specialized areas such as data analytics, sustainable business, and entrepreneurship.

This track suits students seeking a full degree before entering the workforce, or students in other fields who want to add a business minor. The school's undergraduate program is ranked #12 in the country by U.S. News & World Report and #5 for academic experience by Poets&Quants, according to the page.

Graduate Programs

Gies offers specialized graduate business degrees that let you "elevate your expertise and advance your career in as little as one year." That one-year framing is the key condition to weigh: it favors people who can study intensively rather than spread coursework over several years.

The school's accounting strength is notable in the published rankings: #1 Accountancy faculty (BYU Accounting Faculty Research Rankings) and #1 public business school for graduate accounting (U.S. News & World Report). If accounting is your target, those markers are worth checking against the specific degree page.

Online Programs

For learners who need to keep working, Gies offers online graduate business programs it describes as combining a world-class business education with flexibility and convenience. These are graduate-level programs, not a separate undergraduate track.

Choose this format if scheduling flexibility matters more to you than being on campus. The page does not state tuition, admission requirements, or program length for online options, so confirm those details on the individual program pages before applying.

How the Tracks Compare

What You'll Study Across Programs

Regardless of track, the curriculum emphasizes practical skills for a changing business world. Named areas include data analytics, sustainable business, and entrepreneurship. Gies also weaves artificial intelligence into courses, career services, and real-world projects, and builds in experiential learning where students work directly with clients on real challenges. Career readiness support extends beyond traditional advising.

A Recent Development Worth Knowing

The site's latest news notes that Larry Gies pledged a $100 million matching gift to the college. If you are evaluating the school's trajectory or donor momentum, that announcement is the most current item on the homepage.

Next Step

Start from the program level that matches your situation — undergraduate, graduate, or online — then open that section to review specific majors, degree names, and requirements. The homepage gives the program map; the individual program pages carry the admission and cost details you'll need to decide.