Economics at Illinois Wesleyan University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (35 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Wesleyan University | — | $85,928 | — | — |
| University of Chicago | $92,075 | $127,832 | $13,197 | 0.14 |
| Northwestern University | $84,932 | $105,795 | $16,227 | 0.19 |
| Wheaton College | $62,889 | $60,894 | $21,000 | 0.33 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $58,921 | $75,600 | $21,228 | 0.36 |
| Olivet Nazarene University | $54,169 | — | $27,000 | 0.50 |
| National Median | $51,722 | — | $22,816 | 0.44 |
Other Economics Programs in Illinois
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Illinois schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago Chicago | $66,939 | $92,075 | $13,197 |
| Northwestern University Evanston | $65,997 | $84,932 | $16,227 |
| Wheaton College Wheaton | $43,930 | $62,889 | $21,000 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign | $16,004 | $58,921 | $21,228 |
| Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais | $37,940 | $54,169 | $27,000 |
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 Wesleyan University, approximately 23% 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.