Management Information Systems and Services at Concordia University-Chicago

Similar programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $68,000 for a Management Information Systems bachelor's degree—a figure that lands squarely at the state median and above the national benchmark of $59,500. That's a solid starting point for a tech-adjacent business role, though it trails the outcomes from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign by about $9,000. The estimated $26,600 in debt produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first year's salary—manageable by most standards.

What makes this harder to evaluate is the uncertainty around these estimates. With 45% of students receiving Pell grants, Concordia serves a significant population of lower-income students who need strong financial returns. The problem is we don't know if this specific program actually delivers outcomes at the state median or falls short like some peer programs in Illinois that produce earnings in the low $50,000s. The difference between those scenarios—$68,000 versus $53,000—fundamentally changes whether this debt load makes sense.

For parents, the calculation hinges on risk tolerance. If your child is solidly interested in IT systems work and Concordia offers something they can't get elsewhere at this price point, the projected numbers work. But acknowledge you're making that decision with incomplete information about this particular program's track record.