Information Science/Studies at Blackburn College

Information Science programs in Illinois show considerable variation, with Northwestern commanding six-figure salaries while most others cluster in the $58,000-$60,000 range. Based on five comparable programs across the state, Blackburn graduates would likely earn around $60,468 in their first year—right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark of $58,651. That's solid starting pay for a bachelor's degree, particularly at a school where 54% of students receive Pell grants.

The estimated debt load of $24,950, derived from similar Illinois programs, translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41—well below the threshold where repayment typically becomes burdensome. For context, this mirrors the national median debt for Information Science majors of $25,750. Monthly loan payments would consume roughly 12-15% of take-home pay on a standard repayment plan, leaving reasonable breathing room for recent graduates entering the workforce.

The uncertainty here matters: without reported outcomes specific to Blackburn, you're relying on how peer programs perform rather than this school's actual track record. That said, the estimated numbers suggest a manageable investment if your student is committed to information science and Blackburn's environment fits their needs. The key is ensuring they'll complete the degree—schools with higher admission rates sometimes struggle with graduation rates, which dramatically changes the value equation.