Business Administration, Management and Operations at Monmouth College

Monmouth College's business program produces graduates who earn slightly below both state and national medians, though the gap isn't dramatic—we're talking about $3,200 less than the Illinois average at the one-year mark. More concerning is the trajectory: while earnings do grow 23% over four years, graduates still land at $53,183, well behind top Illinois programs like U of I Urbana-Champaign ($68,442) and even regional competitors like Southern Illinois ($55,633). The program ranks in the 40th percentile statewide, meaning six out of ten Illinois business programs deliver better starting salaries.

The debt load of $26,018 is manageable—right at the national median and only slightly above Illinois's average. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, meaning graduates owe about seven months of their first-year salary. That's workable, though not impressive. For context, stronger Illinois programs typically combine higher earnings with similar or even lower debt, giving graduates more financial breathing room early in their careers.

The core question is whether paying for a private college experience makes sense when the career outcomes fall short of what many state schools deliver. If your student is choosing Monmouth for fit, community, or other non-financial reasons, the debt burden won't sink them. But purely as a financial investment in a business career, Illinois offers better options at both flagship universities and regional public schools.