Information Science/Studies at Bradley University

Bradley's Information Science program graduates earn slightly below both Illinois and national medians—$58,014 versus $60,468 statewide and $58,651 nationally. That 40th percentile ranking among Illinois programs is noteworthy: you're paying private school tuition for outcomes that fall short of what DePaul and UIC deliver, and far behind what Northwestern achieves. The debt load of $24,950 isn't catastrophic, but it's higher than the Illinois median of $22,632, creating a squeeze where you're borrowing more for less earning potential.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means your child would owe less than half their first year's salary—manageable on paper, especially compared to some bachelor's programs. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in this sample, these numbers could swing significantly year to year. A program this small may also offer fewer networking opportunities and less robust career services than larger departments.

The core issue is value: Bradley's 77% admission rate and solid SAT scores suggest it's a decent regional school, but for information science specifically, the data suggests you might get comparable or better outcomes at less expensive Illinois publics or at peer privates like DePaul. If Bradley offers significant merit aid or your child has compelling non-financial reasons to attend, the modest debt makes it workable—just don't expect this program to be a standout credential in the Illinois market.