Economics at Illinois State University

Illinois State's Economics program produces outcomes that lag behind most comparable programs, though the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these figures could shift significantly with more data. Starting at $44,015 puts graduates in the 21st percentile nationally and 40th percentile among Illinois schools, trailing the state median by $3,000. When top Illinois programs like U of I Urbana-Champaign ($58,921) and even mid-tier options like Olivet Nazarene ($54,169) substantially outperform, it raises questions about competitive positioning.

The $25,000 debt load matches the Illinois median but buys considerably less earning power than at peer institutions. The 29% earnings growth to $56,964 by year four is encouraging and helps the debt-to-earnings ratio, but that fourth-year figure still sits below what many Illinois State peers deliver right out of the gate. For a program at a school with an 89% admission rate serving a significant population of Pell Grant recipients, these modest outcomes might reflect the school's accessibility mission—but it's worth acknowledging that accessibility doesn't have to mean accepting lower returns.

Given the small sample, I'd verify these numbers represent typical outcomes before making any decisions. If they hold, families should weigh whether Illinois State's lower cost structure (if tuition is indeed cheaper) and regional connections offset the earnings gap, or whether their student could access programs with stronger placement records elsewhere in Illinois.