Management Information Systems and Services at Illinois College

Illinois College's MIS program appears positioned at the state median—similar programs in Illinois typically produce first-year earnings around $68,285, which would put graduates ahead of the national benchmark ($59,490) but well behind what University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign delivers. The estimated debt load of $26,581 translates to a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates from comparable programs could expect to owe about five months of their first year's salary.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways. Illinois College might be developing strong employer connections in the Jacksonville area or sending graduates to the thriving Chicago tech market where other Illinois MIS programs thrive. Or it could be producing outcomes closer to Illinois State's $52,887, which would make that debt load feel heavier. What we know is that MIS as a field shows strong demand across Illinois, with 19 schools competing for placement—suggesting employers need these graduates.

For parents weighing this investment, the projected debt burden appears reasonable if the earnings materialize near the state median. But with no actual graduate outcomes to evaluate, you're essentially betting that Illinois College can match what peer institutions achieve. Request placement data and employer partnerships directly from the school before committing—those specifics matter more than statewide averages when you're writing a tuition check.