Economics at Dominican University

Economics programs in Illinois span an enormous range, from University of Chicago's $92,000 first-year earnings down to programs producing half that. Based on comparable programs across the state, Dominican's economics degree suggests first-year earnings around $47,000—right at the state median but about $5,000 below the national benchmark. The estimated $24,000 in debt is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.5 that most financial advisors would consider reasonable.

However, the gap between Dominican and Illinois's top economics programs is substantial. While peer schools at this level typically produce similar outcomes, students who can access more selective programs might see significantly higher returns. The 80% admission rate and average SAT of 1022 indicate Dominican serves a different student population than Northwestern or U of I, and that accessibility has value for families who need it.

The practical question is whether your child can leverage an economics degree into fields like finance or consulting, where employers care more about skills and internships than school prestige. At this estimated debt level, there's room to take reasonable career risks after graduation. But if your student is competitive for Illinois's stronger economics programs—and can afford them—the earnings premium those schools command is hard to ignore.