Accounting at Benedictine University

Benedictine's accounting program delivers outcomes that cluster right around the middle—graduates earn $54,328 initially, roughly matching the national median but falling slightly below Illinois's stronger state average. While the program ranks in the 52nd percentile nationally, its 40th percentile standing among Illinois schools reveals the challenge: students could access stronger programs at similar price points within the state. The gap is real—top Illinois programs like University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Wesleyan place graduates earning $20,000+ more in their first year.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. At $23,325, borrowers face a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. Solid 18% earnings growth to $64,330 by year four suggests the degree provides a stable foundation for career progression, even if it doesn't open doors to the highest-paying accounting positions right away.

For families prioritizing accessibility—Benedictine admits 77% of applicants and serves a significant population of Pell recipients—this represents a reasonable path into accounting with controllable debt. However, students with stronger academic profiles should seriously explore whether peer institutions in Illinois might offer better career outcomes for comparable investment.