Accounting at DeVry University-Illinois

DeVry University-Illinois charges accounting graduates roughly twice what most Illinois schools do—$54,380 in median debt versus a state median of $23,452—while delivering earnings that barely crack the state's 40th percentile. Graduates earn about $54,000 their first year, essentially flat four years later, which means they're treading water while peers at schools like DePaul or Loyola see their earnings climb past $69,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.00 means these graduates start with debt equal to an entire year's salary, a burden that will take years to resolve even with disciplined repayment.

The comparison within Illinois is particularly stark. Top accounting programs in the state—many of which are private universities like Loyola or Illinois Wesleyan—deliver 30-40% higher earnings while often carrying similar or lower debt loads. Even accounting for DeVry's open-access mission (65% of students receive Pell grants), the program performs below the Illinois median while charging more than double the typical debt burden. The lack of earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates may be hitting a ceiling quickly, whether due to credential perception or career placement challenges.

For families weighing this option, the math is unfavorable. Illinois has 42 accounting programs, many offering better outcomes at lower cost. Unless geographic constraints or scheduling flexibility make DeVry the only viable option, students would benefit from exploring state schools or regional privates where the investment-to-return equation works more clearly in their favor.