Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Elmhurst University

At an estimated $31,000 in debt against first-year earnings around $42,000, this bachelor's program tracks closely with typical outcomes for liberal arts degrees in Illinois. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 is manageable—better than the national median for this field—though the estimated earnings themselves sit right at the state median, meaning this program appears neither particularly strong nor weak compared to peer institutions.

What's worth noting is the gap between Elmhurst and the top-performing liberal arts programs in Illinois. DePaul graduates in this field earn double what comparable programs typically produce, suggesting that institutional reputation and network matter significantly in this broad degree category. Even mid-tier programs like Saint Xavier and Aurora show meaningfully higher outcomes than the state median Elmhurst tracks to.

For families investing $31,000, the question becomes whether a general liberal arts degree provides enough direction. These estimates suggest a financially viable path—you can reasonably pay down this debt on typical starting salaries—but without actual outcome data specific to Elmhurst, you're making decisions based on what similar Illinois programs produce. If your student has a clear career path where this degree serves as foundation (teaching credential, graduate school, specific industry), the investment pencils out. If they're using this program to "figure things out," more focused alternatives at similar price points might deliver better returns.