Finance and Financial Management Services at Bradley University

Bradley's finance program produces graduates who earn slightly above typical Illinois outcomes, though the small sample size means these results could shift with more data. With first-year earnings of $54,261 and manageable debt under $21,000, graduates face a debt burden of just 39% of their starting salary—well below concerning thresholds and better than most finance programs nationwide.

The 29% earnings jump by year four suggests graduates are advancing into better roles, and performing at the 60th percentile among Illinois finance programs puts Bradley in solid company, if not quite at the elite tier dominated by U of I ($75,381) and Chicago's private universities. For a school with a 77% admission rate, these outcomes represent good value, particularly given the below-average debt load.

The main caveat is that small sample makes it hard to confirm whether these patterns hold consistently. If your child is deciding between Bradley and the state's top programs, understand you're trading about $10,000-20,000 in first-year earning potential for lower debt and a more accessible admissions process. For families prioritizing affordability and solid career prospects over prestige, this program delivers both without strapping graduates with burdensome loans.