Analysis
Lincoln Christian University's human services bachelor's degree program lacks sufficient graduate data for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes, so we're looking at estimates: around $35,200 in first-year earnings based on Illinois peer programs, with debt near $32,500 from similar private Christian institutions nationally. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.92 suggests graduates would dedicate nearly a full year's salary to loan repayment—manageable but tight, especially given that human services roles often cluster in the mid-$30,000s rather than offering much upward mobility early on.
The estimated earnings align closely with what other Illinois human services programs actually report, falling right at the state median. However, some comparable schools like Rasmussen ($40,125) demonstrate that higher starting salaries are achievable in this field, while Northern Illinois shows how outcomes can vary significantly even within the state. With 39% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are making this investment with limited financial cushion.
The core question is whether you're comfortable betting on estimates when actual data isn't available. The projected numbers suggest this program would produce typical outcomes for Illinois human services graduates—not exceptional, but not alarming either. If your student is committed to this field and this faith-based environment matters, the financial picture appears workable, though you'd be wise to confirm the school can explain why their graduate sample is too small to generate public data.
Where Lincoln Christian University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Human Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (8 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,400 | $35,199* | — | $32,524* | — | |
| $13,546 | $40,125* | — | $46,312* | 1.15 | |
| $30,910 | $37,671* | $35,151 | $34,455* | 0.91 | |
| $35,740 | $32,726* | $32,364 | $27,000* | 0.83 | |
| $12,700 | $29,062* | $39,783 | $27,000* | 0.93 | |
| National Median | — | $36,630* | — | $31,573* | 0.86 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human services graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lincoln Christian University, approximately 39% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.