Analysis
Illinois College graduates an estimated $34,806 in their first year—a figure derived from comparable health sciences bachelor's programs in Illinois—while carrying $27,000 in debt. That 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, suggesting manageable loan payments even if actual outcomes vary from the estimate.
The challenge with health sciences degrees is they often serve as stepping stones rather than endpoints. Many graduates use them to bridge into graduate programs for nursing, physician assistant work, or therapy fields where the real earning power emerges. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation, similar Illinois programs suggest starting salaries that would make the debt serviceable but not lucrative—we're talking about entry-level healthcare administration or support roles that typically hover in the mid-$30,000s. The debt load here, while not alarming, becomes more defensible if there's a clear graduate school plan attached.
What matters most is understanding exactly which healthcare career path this degree opens. At Illinois College specifically, you'll want to pin down whether their curriculum and clinical partnerships actually position graduates for competitive roles or graduate admissions. The estimated numbers suggest a reasonable foundation, but a bachelor's in health sciences without a specific licensure or credential attached needs a follow-on plan to justify the investment.
Where Illinois College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health services/allied health/health sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (18 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Illinois CollegeJacksonville | $37,470 | $34,806* | — | $27,000 | — |
 North Park UniversityChicago | $35,325 | $40,374* | — | $30,666 | 0.76 |
 DePaul UniversityChicago | $44,460 | $34,897* | $54,773 | $27,000 | 0.77 |
 University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign | $16,004 | $34,806* | $65,454 | $21,339 | 0.61 |
 Wheaton CollegeWheaton | $43,930 | $32,375* | $63,432 | $20,356 | 0.63 |
 University of Illinois ChicagoChicago | $14,338 | $29,735* | — | $21,500 | 0.72 |
| National Median | — | $35,279* | — | $26,690 | 0.76 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health services/allied health/health sciences graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Illinois College, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.