Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management at Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University's arts management program punches well above its weight, with graduates earning $36,432 in their first year—nearly $8,000 more than the national median for this degree and roughly $6,300 above the Illinois state median. That 95th percentile national ranking is impressive, though the 60th percentile within Illinois suggests the state has several strong competitors. Still, these graduates are earning more than those from Columbia College Chicago, a well-known arts-focused institution in the state. With debt at $26,125 and steady earnings growth to nearly $40,000 by year four, the financial picture looks manageable.

The main caveat here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means a few unusually successful or struggling students could skew the numbers significantly. That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 means graduates owe less than a year's salary, which is reasonable for an arts-focused field where earnings typically start lower. The 9% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are finding their footing professionally rather than hitting a ceiling.

For parents worried about the practicality of an arts degree, this program appears to provide better-than-average career preparation. The numbers suggest Elmhurst is doing something right—perhaps through industry connections, practical training, or Chicago-area networking opportunities—but verify that recent placement success is consistent given the limited data.