Hospitality Administration/Management at National Louis University

National Louis University's hospitality program outperforms most schools nationally but lands in the middle of the pack among Illinois competitors—and comes with a premium price tag. While graduates earn $42,196 initially (ranking in the 95th percentile nationally), they're only hitting the 60th percentile within Illinois, where nine schools compete for students. More concerning, those earnings actually slip slightly to $41,721 by year four, suggesting limited career advancement in the early years.

The $28,491 in median debt is higher than both state and national averages, though still manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. That means graduates face about 8 months of gross income in debt—reasonable but not exceptional given the flat earnings trajectory. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, this school serves many first-generation and lower-income students who need clear career returns on their investment.

The real question is whether the premium over state alternatives delivers value. Roosevelt University graduates earn less ($35,871) but likely carry comparable debt, while Northern Illinois grads start lower ($32,337) but probably pay substantially less in tuition. For families who can access in-state options or comparing private school choices, National Louis offers solid earnings but not the upward trajectory that would clearly justify the higher debt load. This program works if location and scheduling flexibility matter, but it's not a clear financial winner.