Management Information Systems and Services at DePaul University

DePaul's MIS program launches graduates into $68,769 first-year salaries—well above the national median of $59,490—and then delivers impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 26% to reach $86,686 by year four. That upward trajectory matters because it suggests employers increasingly value what these graduates bring to the table as they gain experience. While the program sits at the 60th percentile among Illinois schools (trailing UIUC's $77,572 but ahead of Illinois State's $52,887), it substantially outperforms most programs nationwide, landing in the 79th percentile nationally.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,016, creating a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio that students typically handle comfortably. Location works in graduates' favor here—Chicago's robust tech and corporate sectors provide strong entry points for MIS professionals, and the earnings growth pattern suggests graduates are positioning themselves for more lucrative roles as they build expertise.

For parents, this represents solid career preparation with clear upward mobility. Your child won't graduate with the highest starting salary in Illinois, but they'll be earning competitively within four years while carrying debt that's entirely proportionate to their income. The combination of strong national standing and meaningful earnings growth makes this a dependable investment, particularly for students who want to work in Chicago's thriving business technology landscape.