Business Administration, Management and Operations at Eureka College

Eureka College's business graduates start at $38,937—below both the Illinois median ($46,431) and the national average—but the story improves considerably over time. Four years out, earnings jump to $50,591, representing 30% growth that outpaces typical career progression. This puts the program in the bottom quartile among Illinois business programs initially, yet the strong earnings trajectory suggests graduates find their footing in the job market after gaining experience.

The $26,000 debt load equals national averages and keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.67. For a small liberal arts college with an 88% admission rate, this represents reasonable financial risk, especially given the earnings growth. Still, families should recognize the upfront tradeoff: first-year earnings lag $7,500 behind the Illinois median, meaning graduates may face tighter budgets early in their careers compared to peers from larger state universities like Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

The value proposition here depends on your priorities. If your child thrives in small college environments and you're confident they'll stay employed through those crucial early career years, the long-term earnings look respectable. But if maximizing immediate post-graduation income matters—perhaps to handle student loans more aggressively—this program starts behind similar options across Illinois.