Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University's Liberal Arts program earns above the national median but trails most Illinois schools—ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide despite sitting in the 69th percentile nationally. This gap matters because Illinois has an unusually strong field: the state median for this program ($42,107) exceeds the national median by $5,700. Your student would start at $40,273, about $2,000 below the typical Illinois graduate in this field, though still $4,000 ahead of the national benchmark.

The debt picture offers some compensation. At $24,250, graduates here borrow roughly $5,000 less than the Illinois median and nearly $3,000 less than the national median. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60—meaning the typical graduate can expect to repay their loans within about nine months of working. Earnings growth of 15% over four years is respectable, reaching $46,407 by the fourth year out.

For families weighing tuition costs, this represents a middle-ground option: you're getting typical liberal arts outcomes without the debt load of pricier Illinois schools. But if your student qualifies for more selective programs—particularly those reaching $50,000+ in early earnings—the income difference could justify higher upfront costs. This works best for students who value the regional familiarity and affordability of an established state university.