Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Benedictine University

Illinois liberal arts programs show enormous earnings variation—from $42,000 at the median to over $84,000 at DePaul—making the lack of actual outcomes data for Benedictine's program particularly challenging. Based on the state median of similar programs, graduates might expect around $42,100 in first-year earnings against an estimated $31,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 suggests manageable repayment, roughly on par with peer programs statewide. But these figures tell us little about how Benedictine specifically positions its graduates, or why some Illinois schools produce nearly double the earnings of others in this same field.

The real question is whether Benedictine's outcomes fall closer to the state median or whether factors like institutional support, alumni networks, or program structure push graduates toward the higher end seen at schools like Aurora University ($44,614) or Saint Xavier ($51,054). With 39% of students receiving Pell grants, the school serves a substantial population for whom that $31,000 debt figure represents a meaningful burden—one that becomes either manageable or problematic depending on actual employment outcomes that aren't visible here.

Without program-specific data, you're essentially betting on Benedictine performing at or near the state average. If your student has specific career goals, reach out to the school directly for placement rates and employer outcomes in their intended field—liberal arts degrees require strong career planning, and the estimates alone won't tell you whether this particular program provides that support.