Accounting at Lewis University

Lewis University's accounting program graduates start at $47,616—notably below both the Illinois median ($54,694) and national average ($53,694). In a state with 42 accounting programs, this ranks at just the 40th percentile, meaning 60% of Illinois accounting graduates earn more right out of the gate. The gap is substantial: top Illinois programs like U of I Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Wesleyan place graduates at salaries 50% higher. Even regional competitors like DePaul and Loyola consistently hit the $69,000+ range.

The saving grace here is manageable debt at $23,162, slightly below both state and national medians. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, graduates can reasonably expect to pay off loans within a few years. Earnings do grow 19% by year four, reaching $56,591, though that still lags behind what peers at stronger programs earn immediately after graduation. The 73% admission rate suggests this may serve students who wouldn't gain entry to more selective programs, but the tradeoff is real—you're starting thousands behind peers in the same job market.

Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked), these numbers could shift, but the pattern is clear enough: this program offers accessibility and manageable debt, not competitive salaries. If your child has options at higher-ranked Illinois schools, the long-term earning difference likely outweighs any modest tuition savings here.