Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at McKendree University

McKendree's Management Sciences program operates in a difficult middle ground: graduates earn about $55,000 four years out, which sits below the Illinois median of $48,715 initially but catches up somewhat. However, the program ranks in just the 11th percentile nationally—meaning 89% of similar programs across the country produce better-earning graduates. Within Illinois, it lands at the 40th percentile, trailing not just elite options like UIUC ($72,527) but also mid-tier alternatives like DePaul and Benedictine.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $21,203, graduates borrow less than both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46. The 20% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates do find their footing over time. Still, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could swing dramatically year to year—what looks like steady growth might simply reflect a few individual outcomes.

For families prioritizing debt minimization and willing to accept below-average starting salaries, this becomes viable. But if maximizing earning potential matters—especially given that quantitative management skills should command strong salaries—the significant gap between McKendree and state competitors is hard to ignore. Illinois offers multiple programs where graduates earn $10,000-$20,000 more annually without necessarily taking on more debt.