Human Resources Management and Services at Lewis University

Lewis University's HR program graduates earn exactly the national median—$50,361 in their first year—but that same performance puts them below average for Illinois, landing at the 40th percentile statewide. While the state's median is only modestly higher at $51,763, top IL programs like Benedictine and Northwestern command salaries in the $80,000+ range, suggesting this degree isn't opening doors to the most competitive HR roles in the Chicago metro area where many of these graduates likely compete for jobs.

The debt load of $27,000 is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio, and earnings do grow 21% over four years to nearly $61,000. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically with just a few different outcomes. That statistical volatility matters more when you're already starting in the bottom half of state programs.

For families choosing Lewis, understand you're likely paying for accessibility (73% admission rate) rather than premium career outcomes. If your student can access the higher-performing IL programs through merit aid or in-state tuition, those create substantially better starting positions. Otherwise, this becomes a calculation about whether a 21% earnings bump over four years justifies being in the lower tier of Illinois HR programs from day one.