Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Elmhurst University

The debt-to-earnings picture here looks manageable on paper, but there's a significant gap between what Elmhurst University charges and what top tech employers actually pay in the Chicago market. While comparable programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $59,685—roughly matching the national median—that figure pales against what DePaul grads earn ($79,863), revealing a $20,000 annual difference that compounds dramatically over a career. At $27,000 in estimated debt, your child would face payments totaling roughly 45% of their first year's salary, which is workable but leaves little margin for error if their actual outcomes fall below these peer-program estimates.

The real question is whether Elmhurst's 76% acceptance rate and mid-range academic profile translates to the kind of employer connections and internship placements that lead to competitive tech jobs in Chicago. Illinois has 19 programs in this field, and being middle-of-the-pack on earnings suggests this degree opens doors but may not position graduates for the higher-paying development or system architecture roles that justify tech sector debt. Given that these figures are estimates rather than Elmhurst's actual graduate outcomes, your best move is to ask the department directly about job placement specifics: which companies recruit on campus, what percentage of grads land roles at established tech firms versus smaller shops, and whether they can share actual salary data for recent alumni.