Economics at Elmhurst University

Illinois economics programs show stark divides, and Elmhurst's estimated position—around $47,000 in first-year earnings based on comparable state programs—lands at the median but well below the state's elite options. The University of Chicago and Northwestern place graduates at nearly double these figures, while even peer institutions like Wheaton and UIUC report substantially higher starting salaries. For families considering Elmhurst's economics program, these estimates suggest you'd be paying private school tuition for outcomes that track with the state average rather than offering a clear earnings advantage.

The estimated debt load of roughly $24,000 keeps the financial picture from being dire—the 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates from similar programs can typically manage their loans on a single year's salary. That's reasonable compared to many bachelor's programs. However, the gap between Elmhurst's estimated outcomes and reported results from top Illinois economics programs raises questions about whether this particular investment maximizes your child's career prospects in a field where institutional prestige and alumni networks often matter significantly.

Given that these figures are derived from peer programs rather than Elmhurst's own graduate outcomes, request actual placement data from the economics department directly. Where do recent graduates work? What graduate schools do they attend? Those concrete details matter more than statewide estimates when you're making a decision about a specific school whose results may differ—for better or worse—from the Illinois median.