Business Administration, Management and Operations at Lewis University

Lewis University's business administration program places graduates in a solid middle ground—earning notably more than the typical Illinois business graduate ($53,793 versus the state median of $46,431), though still trailing the University of Illinois schools and top private institutions in Chicago by roughly $10,000-15,000. At the 60th percentile statewide, this isn't an elite program, but it's performing better than half the business schools in Illinois while keeping debt reasonable at $26,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 means graduates owe about six months of salary, which is manageable territory for a business degree. More encouraging is the earnings trajectory: income grows 10% over four years to nearly $60,000, suggesting these graduates are building viable careers rather than hitting an early ceiling. The moderate sample size gives us decent confidence in these numbers, though they reflect outcomes for a relatively accessible program (73% admission rate).

For families looking at Illinois business schools, Lewis occupies a practical niche. Your child won't match Northwestern or U of I earnings out of the gate, but they'll likely get in, graduate with reasonable debt, and earn meaningfully more than graduates from many competing programs. If the alternative is a less selective state school at similar cost, Lewis shows stronger outcomes. If your child can access a top-tier Illinois program, those deliver better returns—but Lewis represents a reasonable Plan B with decent momentum after graduation.