Business/Managerial Economics at DePaul University

DePaul's business economics program starts below the middle of the pack in Illinois but shows impressive momentum afterward. While first-year earnings of $53,682 trail the state median and lag behind Loyola by over $7,000, four-year graduates see their income jump 51% to $81,167—a trajectory that outpaces typical growth patterns for this degree. The manageable debt of $21,666 means graduates enter the workforce with room to breathe financially.

The catch is that initial positioning: ranking in just the 40th percentile among Illinois programs means your child will likely start their career earning less than peers from competing schools. However, the substantial earnings growth suggests DePaul's Chicago location and network begin paying dividends as graduates gain experience. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.4, students can comfortably manage loan payments even during that lower-earning first year.

For families comfortable with a slower start in exchange for strong mid-career prospects, this program delivers. The economics work especially well if your child plans to stay in Chicago, where DePaul's local reputation and alumni connections can help accelerate that earnings curve. Just be realistic about those first couple of years—they may need financial patience while the degree's value builds.