Accounting at Rasmussen University-Illinois

Rasmussen's accounting program costs more than typical associate degrees in Illinois while delivering below-average state results. The $23,823 debt load ranks in the 75th percentile nationally—manageable by absolute standards, but notably higher than the state median of $20,554. More concerning is the earnings outcome: while these graduates earn well above the national median ($43,765 vs. $37,000), they fall in just the 40th percentile among Illinois programs, where the median reaches $45,770. Nearby College of DuPage, for instance, sees its accounting grads earning $47,775.

The earnings trajectory offers little upside, growing barely 1% over four years to $44,358. With 63% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are stretching to afford what amounts to a premium-priced option in a state with stronger alternatives. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 isn't alarming—graduates should manage payments reasonably well—but you're essentially paying more for middle-of-the-pack performance within Illinois.

If your child has already been accepted and this is their best in-state option, the numbers work financially. But for Illinois residents comparing programs, community colleges like DuPage deliver better earnings outcomes at lower cost. The question isn't whether this degree pays off—it does—but whether paying above-average tuition for below-average state results makes sense when stronger programs exist nearby.