Management Information Systems and Services at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola's MIS program punches above its weight nationally but lands squarely in the middle of Illinois' competitive tech landscape. With first-year earnings of $67,801, graduates outperform the national median by $8,300 and rank in the 76th percentile nationally. However, that same figure barely trails the Illinois median of $68,285, placing them in the 40th percentile statewide—essentially competing with stronger programs like DePaul ($68,769) and trailing powerhouse University of Illinois by nearly $10,000.

The program's real strength emerges over time. That 36% earnings growth to $92,499 by year four suggests graduates are climbing quickly into management and strategic roles, outpacing many peers who start higher. The debt load of $24,500 is reasonable—just 0.36 times first-year earnings—meaning graduates can realistically pay down loans within two to three years while building their careers.

For Illinois families paying in-state tuition, this becomes a calculation: you're paying Loyola's private school premium for outcomes that match state averages initially but may accelerate faster. If your child thrives in smaller class settings and values Loyola's Jesuit network in Chicago's corporate market, the trajectory justifies the cost. If pure starting salary matters most, University of Illinois offers better bang for the buck, assuming your student can navigate the tougher admissions.