Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at Lewis University

A bachelor's degree in Management Sciences with $25,000 in debt and first-year earnings around $49,000 presents a manageable debt load—roughly six months of gross income. But comparable programs in Illinois show a troubling pattern: the state median lags the national benchmark by over $13,000 annually, and Lewis sits at that lower state median rather than reaching toward stronger performers.

Looking at Illinois schools with actual reported data, there's a stark divide. Top programs produce graduates earning $72,000 to $85,000 in their first year—nearly 50% more than what similar programs at Lewis's level typically yield. Even mid-tier options like DePaul push past $51,000. This suggests the quantitative methods field rewards program prestige and employer connections heavily, and Lewis appears positioned in the lower tier of that hierarchy despite its respectable admission standards and solid student body.

The debt-to-earnings ratio itself isn't alarming, but starting at $49,000 in a field where others begin at $70,000+ means you're forfeiting significant early-career earning potential. That gap compounds over time—it's not just about paying off loans faster, but about total lifetime earnings. If your child has options at Illinois's flagship or even North Central, those programs deliver substantially better outcomes. If Lewis is the choice, go in knowing this degree is serviceable but unlikely to be transformative financially.