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Six SXU Pathways for Finance and Accounting

Check out our ranking of the 50 Best Online Master of Finance Degree Programs.

Since 1983, the Graham School of Management currently led by Dr. Faisal Rahman has granted a 120-credit BBA in Accounting for Saint Xavier University Cougars to learn financial reporting with BEST Mentoring, 14-week internships like Wintrust Bank, and ALPFA membership. Chaired by Dr. Muhammad Chishty, the BBA in Finance builds a 120-credit, AACSB-accredited track for hands-on investment analysis experience with the Cougar Managed Hedge Fund and Financial Trading Summer Immersion.

Online via Canvas, the Fast-Track BBA integrates 13 eight-week courses, such as Intermediate Accounting, for transfer bachelor’s completion in only 21 months. The Graham MBA directed by Dr. Bruce Lipman specializes a 36-credit, 24-month master’s plan in Finance, Forensic & Investigative Accounting, and Financial Fraud Examination & Management emphases in Chicago or online. With a 56.6 percent first-time CPA pass rate, the 30-credit MS in Accounting headed by Dr. Indranil Ghosh offers advanced Big Four prep with eight-week hybrid classes like Income Tax. Ranked 20th for trial advocacy by the U.S. News & World Report, the John Marshall Law School also partners with Saint Xavier for a Dual MBA/JD with a Business Enterprise Law Clinic.

About Saint Xavier University

Saint Xavier University originated in 1846 when the first Bishop of Chicago, William J. Quarter, called on five Religious Sisters of Mercy to found an all-female Catholic academy. In 1871, the Great Fire blazed through its original five-story Magnificent Mile campus. Two years later, it began building today’s 109-acre Mount Greenwood campus in Forbes’ 66th best city. In 1915, the Academy became the Saint Francis Xavier College for Women with the first bachelor’s majors. Initially accredited in 1937, it adopted the “Plan for Liberal Education of the Christian Person” in 1953. By 1956, the Academy broke off to become McAuley High School. In 1962, it was the first Catholic women’s college chosen for a Ford Foundation Grant of $1.5 million. Enrolling men equally since January 1969, Saint Xavier launched its Weekend College in 1978. Given university status in 1992, SXU added a 35-acre Orland Park location in 2003.

Today, Saint Xavier University has 354 faculty teaching 3,667 Cougars at a 15:1 ratio across three schools with 32 clubs like the Accounting Student Organization. On Niche, SXU has America’s 233rd most liberal degrees, 244th safest campus, and 291st best dining. The “College of Distinction” and “Hispanic Serving Institution” (HSI) also ranked 498th in Times Higher Education.

Saint Xavier University Accreditation Details

On June 18, 2018, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council sent Saint Xavier University a formal notification letter that the Level III accreditation was rightly reaffirmed through Spring 2028 under its 20th president, Dr. Laurie Joyner, who earned the Woman of Distinction Leadership Award. Based 17 miles up Interstate 94 on Chicago’s La Salle Street, this mega 19-state Midwest Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to review SXU’s 46 baccalaureate, 26 master’s, and 24 certificate offerings. Specifically, the Graham School of Management was accredited by the elite Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) on May 16, 2014. The MBA in Financial Fraud Examination & Management aligns to Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) standards too.

Saint Xavier University Application Requirements

Starting at Saint Xavier University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because 4,579 of the 5,520 Fall 2017 applicants were triumphant for selective 83 percent success. First-year Cougars prowling the BBA in Accounting or Finance must finish at least 16 high school units, including four English. Freshmen need GPAs above 2.50, but the average is 3.40. Scoring 19 on the ACT and 1030 on the SAT or better is mandated. International students with a $33,000 affidavit of support usually prove English skills with a 6.5 IELTS or 80 TOEFL iBT mark. The Fast-Track BBA seeks online learners who’ve finished an A.A./A.S. degree. Having 60+ credits, such as Excel for Business, graded “C” or higher for minimum 2.0 GPAs is necessary. The Graham School of Management only reviews MBA candidates with regionally accredited bachelor’s majors. Priority is given for GPAs rising above 3.0. Submitting GMAT test scores over 450 is generally optional. If taken, GRE marks of 150 Verbal, 150 Quantitative, and 4.0 Writing are preferred. Dual MBA/JD students have a median 3.18 GPA and 149 LSAT score.

Saint Xavier University has a final traditional freshman deadline of May 1st. However, BBA transfers apply on a rolling basis year-round. Only international transfers have deadlines of May 1st for Fall and October 1st for Spring entry. MBA and MS in Accounting cohorts start every eight weeks for Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II, or Summer. The John Marshall Law School enforces strict Dual MBA/JD deadlines of April 1st and November 15th. Accordingly, file the free SXU Application, Common Application, or JMLS Application securely online. Have official transcripts mailed to 3825 West 103rd Street in Chicago, IL 60655. Select testing codes 1708 (SAT/GRE) or 1134 (ACT) for results. Other checklist items include the 200-word personal statement, two recommendation forms, business résumé, notarized bank letter, and identification photocopy. Pose further questions to (844) 468-6798 or admission@sxu.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Saint Xavier University is charging full-time BBA in Accounting and Finance majors $17,195 per term or $34,390 annually. Taking 1-11 credits costs $680 apiece. May Term and Summer courses are $525 per credit. Overload credits over 18 are just $275. Undergrads pay mandatory fees of $1,080 yearly. Living at the Chicago campus’ dorms like Rubloff Hall adds $11,020 to $13,880 for room and board per year. Books and supplies are $40 per credit. SXU budgets $1,260 for transportation plus $1,998 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $50,278 on-site and $38,848 at home. The Graham School of Management has MBA tuition of $999 per credit or $35,964 total. MS in Accounting cohorts spend $999 per credit for $29,970 overall. The Dual MBA/JD bills $1,565 per law credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in A-Wing connects 100 percent of incoming SXU Cougars to assistance averaging $23,975 each for $14.76 million combined. Graham School funds include the Elizabeth Hunter Service & Leadership Award, Jim McCabe Scholarship, Tim Eber Memorial Scholarship, Chicago First Responder Scholarship, Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award, National Society of Hispanic MBAs 1/2 in Kind Scholarship, and Sisters of Mercy Scholarship. Since 1991, the Sister Margaret Grant C.S.J. Memorial Award has assisted students accepted to law schools like John Marshall. The Freshman Merit Scholarship gifts up to $20,000 yearly based on ACT/SAT scores. The $18,000 Vernon Crawley Scholarship has a February 15th deadline for Moraine Valley Community College transfers meeting 3.5 GPAs. Completing FAFSA forms coded 001768 judges Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Direct Loan, and Work-Study Program eligibility. The Golden Apple Scholars program presents Illinois residents with $2,500 to $5,000. The Monetary Award Program (MAP) also confers up to $4,869 for financially needy Illinoisans.

Learn more about Saint Xavier University at the Division of Accounting and Finance website.