Finance and Financial Management Services at DePaul University

DePaul's finance program significantly outperforms national expectations, placing graduates in the 92nd percentile for earnings compared to finance programs nationwide. Starting salaries of $66,863 jump well above both the national median ($53,590) and Illinois median ($53,893) for finance degrees. However, within Illinois specifically, DePaul ranks more modestly at the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional when compared to other in-state options like University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or Loyola Chicago.

The debt picture looks reasonable with $23,000 in median borrowing, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34. This means graduates typically owe about one-third of their first-year salary, which falls right in line with national debt levels for finance programs. The 19% earnings growth over four years shows graduates aren't hitting an early ceiling, though the trajectory is fairly typical for the field.

For Illinois families, DePaul represents a strong middle-tier choice that delivers above-average outcomes without the admission selectivity or higher debt burdens of top-ranked programs. The combination of solid starting salaries, manageable debt, and continued earning potential makes this a financially sound investment, even if it doesn't quite match the elite programs in the state.