Economics at Benedictine University

Economics programs in Illinois span an enormous range—from University of Chicago's $92,000 starting salaries to closer-to-median outcomes around $47,000. Based on comparable programs across the state, Benedictine's economics majors likely fall into this middle tier, with estimated first-year earnings matching Illinois's statewide median of $47,048. That's about $4,700 below the national benchmark for economics degrees, but still represents solid earning potential with an estimated debt load of $23,717—slightly below both state and national medians for this major.

The 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, with estimated debt representing about half of first-year income. For context, this ratio is reasonable compared to many bachelor's programs, and economics degrees typically see earnings growth over time. However, the wide gap between top Illinois programs and the state median matters: students considering Benedictine should recognize they're likely not entering the same labor markets as Northwestern or U of C graduates, where economics majors command nearly double the starting pay.

The practical takeaway: if your child is choosing Benedictine for fit, affordability, or proximity—and understands they're probably looking at middle-market roles rather than elite finance positions—the estimated debt burden appears manageable relative to expected earnings. But if prestige-track economics careers are the goal, the data from peer Illinois programs suggests significant earning differences that won't close easily.