Economics at Eastern Illinois University

Economics degrees in Illinois show striking variance—from $92,000 at Chicago to around $47,000 at mid-tier state schools. Eastern Illinois likely falls into this latter category, where peer programs across the state suggest first-year earnings near $47,000 against roughly $25,000 in debt. That 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio sits comfortably in manageable territory, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about six months of gross income if they aggressively tackled the balance.

The challenge is that this estimated $47,000 trails the national economics median by nearly $5,000, raising questions about whether Eastern Illinois's economics program delivers the same career access as stronger programs in the state. With an admission rate of 68% and average SAT of 1010, the school serves a different student population than Chicago or Northwestern, which may explain both the lower selectivity and the more modest outcomes comparable programs produce.

For parents weighing this investment, the debt load appears reasonable, but the real question is employment trajectory. Economics can open doors to finance, consulting, and analytics—or it can lead to generic business roles that any liberal arts major could fill. Before committing, verify what internship pipelines and recruiting relationships Eastern Illinois maintains, because those connections matter more than the degree name when peer programs cluster around $47,000 rather than $60,000-plus.