Business Administration, Management and Operations at National Louis University

National Louis University's business degree comes with a critical caveat: the sample size is under 30 graduates, making these numbers less reliable than usual. That said, the available data shows graduates earning $45,096 their first year—below both the Illinois state median ($46,431) and landing in just the 40th percentile among Illinois business programs. Put simply, six in ten comparable programs in the state produce better-earning graduates.

The debt burden of roughly $25,000 sits near state and national averages, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55. With over half the student body receiving Pell grants and a 93% admission rate, National Louis clearly serves a different mission than Illinois's flagship universities (where business grads earn $65,000-$68,000). For students seeking access to a business degree rather than maximum earnings potential, the modest debt load matters more than the below-median starting salary.

Given the small sample and below-average outcomes, families should dig deeper: contact the school about job placement rates, alumni outcomes, and whether internship pipelines exist in Chicago's business community. If your student has options among Illinois business programs, those state comparisons suggest looking elsewhere unless National Louis offers specific advantages in scheduling flexibility or support services worth the earnings tradeoff.