Management Information Systems and Services at Aurora University

With estimated first-year earnings around $68,300 based on comparable Illinois programs, Aurora University's MIS bachelor's appears positioned near the state median—though well below what University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates command. The estimated $26,600 in debt translates to a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning roughly 39% of a graduate's first-year salary would cover the full loan balance. That's manageable territory for a technical business degree, particularly in the Chicago metro area where MIS roles are plentiful.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways for anxious parents. Illinois MIS programs show considerable range, from $53,000 at Illinois State to $77,600 at UIUC. Aurora's 85% admission rate and serving a substantial Pell-eligible population (43%) suggests it may draw students who wouldn't access the state's most selective programs. If the actual outcomes track closer to DePaul or Loyola's figures, the investment looks solid. If they skew lower, the debt burden becomes less comfortable. The national median for MIS sits at $59,500, so even an average outcome would likely justify the estimated debt load.

The practical takeaway: This program's estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your child is committed to MIS specifically and Aurora offers the right fit and support. But without actual outcome data from this program, you're betting on Aurora delivering results similar to its Illinois peers—a bet that looks safer when the debt stays under $27,000 and the field generally produces stable technical careers.