Economics at Illinois Wesleyan University

Illinois Wesleyan's economics program shows a trajectory worth examining closely. Based on comparable programs across Illinois, graduates likely earn around $47,000 in their first year—roughly on par with the state median but below the national benchmark of $51,722. The estimated debt load of $23,717 translates to a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, suggesting graduates could realistically handle their payments even in those early years.

What changes the calculation is the four-year earnings figure of $85,928, which is actual reported data for this program. That represents an 83% jump from first-year estimates and puts Illinois Wesleyan graduates well ahead of many peer programs in the state. Only the elite programs—Chicago, Northwestern, and a few others—report higher mid-career outcomes. This suggests the combination of Illinois Wesleyan's liberal arts approach and its moderately selective admissions (45% acceptance rate, 1242 average SAT) produces solid career momentum for economics graduates.

The core question is whether you're comfortable with first-year earnings that track state averages rather than national ones, given the program's moderate estimated debt burden. If your child can secure financial aid that keeps actual borrowing below these estimates, the mid-career trajectory looks promising. But if debt exceeds $25,000, the slower early earnings growth means a longer runway to financial stability than you might find at programs with stronger year-one placement.