Accounting at Rasmussen University-Illinois

Rasmussen University-Illinois charges nearly $40,000 in debt to deliver outcomes that rank below both state and national medians for accounting degrees. While first-year earnings of $53,285 seem reasonable on paper, they fall $1,400 below the Illinois median and land in just the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six in ten Illinois accounting programs deliver better starting outcomes. The debt picture is particularly stark: graduates here carry 70% more debt than the typical Illinois accounting graduate ($39,938 vs. $23,452), placing this program in the bottom 5% nationally for debt burden.

The modest 5% earnings growth to year four suggests limited career momentum, especially concerning when Illinois's top accounting programs launch graduates into the $65,000-$75,000 range. With 63% of students qualifying for Pell grants, this debt load represents an especially heavy burden for the economically vulnerable families who comprise most of the student body. A 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe three-quarters of their first-year salary—manageable but tight, particularly if family circumstances require sending money home or covering emergency expenses.

For families seeking an accounting degree in Illinois, exploring regional public universities or community college transfer pathways would likely yield similar or better starting salaries with significantly less debt. The premium Rasmussen charges doesn't translate into premium outcomes.