Business and Engineering (B.S.)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Illinois Institute of Technology

Program Overview

The B.S. in Business and Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology is a STEM-focused interdisciplinary degree that combines business, engineering, mathematics, science, and technology to prepare students for roles where technical knowledge and business decision-making intersect. It suits students interested in leading technology-driven projects and organizations, with coursework spanning economics, finance, marketing, optimization, engineering design, operations, entrepreneurship, and strategic management.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students begin by developing core knowledge in business, economics, mathematics, science, and computing. Courses such as Business in the 21st Century, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Calculus I, Calculus II, General Physics I: Mechanics, Principles of Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory, and Introduction to Computer Programming for Engineers establish the quantitative and technical foundation of the degree.

Year 2:
The second year connects business decision-making with engineering principles through courses such as Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Analytics for Optimization, and Financial Decision Making and Capital Budgeting. Students also study Materials Science, Mechanics of Solids, Design for Innovation, Mechanics of Structural Materials, and Marketing Fundamentals, giving them a broader understanding of how technical solutions can be developed and managed in business environments.

Year 3:
Students move into organizational and operational applications through Organizational Behavior and Operation and Supply Chain Analytics, while engineering electives allow them to develop a more specialized technical direction. Students can choose areas such as Fluid Mechanics, Structural Analysis I, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Construction Planning and Scheduling, or Industrial Project Management, alongside their first Interprofessional Project (IPRO) experience.

Year 4:
The final year emphasizes integration, strategic thinking, and applied interdisciplinary work. Strategic Management and Design Thinking, advanced engineering electives, the second IPRO experience, and additional free and social-science/humanities electives allow students to bring together business strategy, engineering knowledge, teamwork, and problem-solving before graduation.

Focus Areas

Business strategy, engineering design, economics, finance, marketing, operations, supply chain analytics, optimization, project management, entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, engineering systems, construction management, materials science, strategic management, design thinking

Learning Outcomes

Students develop analytical and critical-thinking skills, apply engineering principles to business challenges, interpret quantitative information, evaluate business and technology decisions, manage projects and operations, collaborate across disciplines, communicate ideas effectively, and make strategic decisions in technology-oriented environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Business and Engineering is delivered jointly through Illinois Tech's Stuart School of Business and engineering academic units, providing students with coursework from both disciplines. Stuart School of Business is AACSB accredited, while the university identifies the Business and Engineering degree itself as a STEM-designated program; the program page does not state that this specific interdisciplinary bachelor's degree has separate ABET accreditation.

Reputation (Employability/Official Statistics)

Illinois Tech describes the program as preparing graduates for positions managing projects, systems, and initiatives at technology-driven companies. The university's program page reports 2022 median annual wages of $159,920 for engineering managers and $107,560 for industrial production managers, while it reports Indeed.com average annual base salaries of $101,983 for engineering project managers and $97,534 for technical managers as of July 13, 2023; these are occupation-level figures rather than Illinois Tech graduate salary outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Illinois Tech connects the Business and Engineering curriculum with practical experience through its Elevate Initiative, which guarantees students access to opportunities such as internships, research, competitions, study-away experiences, and mentoring. The program itself also includes two Interprofessional Project (IPRO) experiences, while the combination of engineering and business coursework gives students opportunities to apply technical and management concepts to interdisciplinary problems.

Students can also build professional experience through Stuart School of Business's internship network, career fairs, micro-internships, employer projects, and career-development resources. These opportunities are particularly relevant to Business and Engineering students because Stuart works with businesses, organizations, and government agencies while Illinois Tech's engineering environment provides access to technical disciplines and facilities:

Interprofessional Projects (IPRO): The curriculum includes two IPRO electives, providing structured interdisciplinary project experiences where students collaborate on real-world problems.
Elevate hands-on experiences: Students are guaranteed access to experiences including internships, research, study away, and competitions, together with personal mentorship.
Engineering design and technical work: Engineering coursework can include Design for Innovation, Mechanics of Solids, Mechanics of Structural Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Structural Analysis I, Dynamics, and Thermodynamics, allowing students to build technical problem-solving skills.
Programming: Introduction to Computer Programming for Engineers provides foundational programming exposure within the degree.
Building Information Modeling: Students selecting the relevant engineering pathway can take Introduction to Building Information Modeling, connecting engineering education with digital construction and project-management practices.
Industrial project management: Industrial Project Management and Advanced Project Management are available among the engineering electives, supporting students interested in managing technical projects.
Internships: Stuart's undergraduate students have access to internships with Chicago businesses, organizations, and government agencies; recent placements have included BMO Harris Bank, Societe Generale, CME Group, Deloitte, Exelon, and Wintrust Financial Corp.
Micro-internships: Through Stuart's partnership with Parker Dewey, students can undertake short-term, paid professional projects, while Tenacity provides access to paid real-world company projects.
Career fairs and employer interaction: Stuart's Career Management Center organizes career fairs, employer information sessions, networking opportunities, mock interviews, and on-campus interviews.
Career technology: Students can use Handshake and other career-search resources to find internships and jobs, while the Career Management Center provides résumé, interview, networking, and career-planning support.
Industry connections: Stuart's Career Management Center works directly with businesses, organizations, and government agencies to connect students and alumni with internship and employment opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Business and Engineering is designed for graduates who want to work at the intersection of engineering, technology, business, and management. Illinois Tech specifically highlights opportunities involving the management of projects, systems, and initiatives at technology-driven companies, while the curriculum develops business, engineering, analytical, and strategic skills that can be applied across industries.

Typical job roles include Engineering Project Manager, Technical Manager, Engineering Manager, Industrial Production Manager.

Students can build their career pathway through:

Career Management Center: Stuart's dedicated CMC provides individualized career counseling, résumé reviews, mock interviews, internship assistance, recruiting events, career information sessions, and networking opportunities with industry professionals.
Employment and salary information: Illinois Tech reports 2022 median annual wages of $159,920 for engineering managers and $107,560 for industrial production managers. The university also cites Indeed.com average annual base salaries of $101,983 for engineering project managers and $97,534 for technical managers as of July 13, 2023; these figures describe the occupations rather than Illinois Tech graduates.
Industry partnerships and employers: Stuart's CMC works with businesses, organizations, and government agencies for recruiting, internships, and employment. Recent internship placements listed by Stuart include BMO Harris Bank, Societe Generale, CME Group, Deloitte, Amway, Exelon, and Wintrust Financial Corp.
Professional accreditation: Students completing the business component study within Stuart School of Business, which is AACSB accredited. Illinois Tech states that AACSB accreditation is held by only about 6% of business schools globally.
STEM pathway: The degree is officially STEM designated. Illinois Tech states that eligible international graduates can apply for an OPT extension that may allow selected students to remain and work in the United States for up to three years after graduation.
Graduation preparation: Illinois Tech's Elevate initiative combines internships, research, competitions, study-away opportunities, and mentoring to help students develop documented practical experience before entering the workforce.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Business and Engineering, graduates can pursue master's-level study in areas such as engineering, engineering management, business, analytics, finance, operations, project management, or related technology-management fields, depending on their undergraduate engineering pathway and career interests. Illinois Tech's Stuart School of Business offers graduate programs in areas including administration, analytics, finance, management, and entrepreneurship, providing potential routes for students who want to deepen their business or management expertise.