Accounting at Monmouth College

Accounting programs in Illinois show dramatic variation in outcomes, with top programs producing first-year earnings above $70,000 while others cluster around the $55,000 median—and Monmouth College's program likely sits in that middle tier. Based on comparable accounting programs statewide, graduates here can expect to earn roughly $55,000 in their first year with about $25,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 suggests manageable repayment, though it's worth noting Illinois schools range from elite outcomes (University of Illinois grads earning nearly $75,000) to much more modest returns.

The key question is whether Monmouth's accessible admission standards (87% acceptance rate) create opportunity or signal a program that struggles to place graduates in higher-paying accounting positions. Similar Illinois programs at this selectivity level typically see students land entry-level bookkeeping or staff accounting roles rather than positions at the Big Four firms or major corporations where starting salaries approach $70,000. The debt load isn't crushing, but it's also not negligible—you're looking at monthly payments around $290 on a standard 10-year plan.

For families deciding between Monmouth and other Illinois options, the limited graduate data here means you're betting on an unknown outcome when programs just hours away have proven track records of substantially higher earnings. If location or financial aid makes Monmouth significantly more affordable than peer schools, the fundamentals aren't terrible. But this isn't a situation where you can point to clear evidence of strong graduate outcomes.