Finance and Financial Management Services at Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University's finance graduates start below both the national and Illinois medians, but there's a notable trajectory here: earnings jump 37% from year one to year four, reaching $70,590. That four-year figure surpasses all state and national benchmarks, suggesting the program may prepare students for solid mid-career advancement even if initial placement lags behind peers at schools like DePaul or Loyola.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $22,468—slightly better than typical for Illinois finance programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, graduates face manageable repayment even during that modest first year. This matters for students choosing Eastern Illinois for its accessibility (68% admission rate, serving 31% Pell-eligible students) over pricier Chicago options where debt loads often run higher.

The major caveat: these numbers reflect fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's experience could vary significantly. But if you're weighing an affordable state school option where strong earnings growth offsets a slower start, Eastern Illinois delivers exactly that. It's worth comparing total cost of attendance here versus schools where graduates earn more immediately but potentially carry heavier debt.