Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at Olivet Nazarene University
Bachelor's Degree
olivet.eduAnalysis
A $25,000 debt load for a bachelor's degree lands right in line with what similar Illinois private colleges report, but the earnings picture requires scrutiny. Based on comparable Management Sciences programs in Illinois, first-year graduates typically earn around $49,000—substantially below the national median of $62,000 for this field. That gap matters because quantitative management degrees usually command premium salaries, and the state's top programs demonstrate this: University of Illinois grads start at $73,000, while North Central exceeds $85,000.
The 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio itself isn't alarming—you'd pay off the debt in manageable terms. The concern is whether Olivet's program delivers the analytical rigor and recruiting connections that drive higher outcomes in this field. Management sciences at its best combines operations research, data analytics, and strategic decision-making skills that employers value highly. When similar programs in Illinois produce earnings $20,000 below the national norm, it raises questions about curriculum depth, corporate partnerships, or career placement support.
Before committing, demand specifics from Olivet: Where do their actual management sciences graduates work? What's their placement rate in analytics or operations roles versus generic business positions? The difference between the state median and top performers in Illinois is $25,000 annually—over a career, that's a six-figure swing. This program needs to prove it's building competitive quantitative skills, not just checking the bachelor's degree box.
Where Olivet Nazarene University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,940 | $48,715* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $44,394 | $85,168* | — | $26,851* | 0.32 | |
| $16,004 | $72,527* | $86,860 | $21,000* | 0.29 | |
| $12,345 | $59,084* | $68,572 | $26,094* | 0.44 | |
| $34,290 | $58,820* | — | $25,000* | 0.43 | |
| $44,460 | $51,522* | $62,488 | $24,500* | 0.48 | |
| National Median | — | $62,069* | — | $23,250* | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Operations Research Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Olivet Nazarene University, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 13 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.