Management Information Systems and Services at Augustana College

A debt load of roughly $26,500 against first-year earnings around $68,000 creates a manageable financial foundation for launching a tech career. Based on comparable MIS programs in Illinois, Augustana's graduates would likely land near the state median—placing them alongside outcomes from DePaul and Loyola, though trailing the University of Illinois by about $9,000 annually. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 means graduates could theoretically pay off loans in under six months of gross earnings, which compares favorably to the national baseline for this field.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With estimates derived from just four Illinois programs, we're working with limited data points. Augustana's smaller size and 68% admission rate distinguish it from the larger state schools, which could mean either more personalized tech training or fewer corporate recruiting pipelines. The national benchmark of $59,490 sits well below the Illinois estimate, suggesting regional market strength—but whether Augustana's graduates actually capture those higher Midwest salaries remains an open question.

For risk-averse families, this represents a bet on Illinois tech markets with limited school-specific evidence. The estimated financials look sound, but you're essentially trusting that Augustana delivers outcomes comparable to peer programs without direct confirmation. If your student has acceptances from schools with reported data showing strong MIS placement, those offer more transparency about what you're actually buying.