Business Administration, Management and Operations at Rasmussen University-Illinois

Rasmussen's Business Administration associate's degree costs roughly twice the typical debt load for this field in Illinois—$25,555 versus a state median of $12,500—which demands scrutiny of what you're actually getting for that premium. The program does deliver strong first-year earnings at $43,736, placing it at the 92nd percentile nationally and matching Illinois's state median exactly. But the 60th percentile state ranking reveals the full picture: this is middle-of-the-pack performance within Illinois, where community colleges like College of DuPage ($46,497) and William Rainey Harper ($59,982) achieve comparable or better outcomes at significantly lower cost.

The program shows minimal income growth—just 3% over four years—while graduates carry debt equal to 58% of their first year's salary. That's manageable but not impressive, especially considering the high-Pell population (63%) who can least afford premium tuition. With robust sample sizes backing these numbers, this isn't a data fluke.

For families choosing between Illinois options, this comes down to a simple calculation: are you willing to pay double the debt for earnings that match the state median? If your student needs flexible scheduling or has already started at Rasmussen, that context matters. But if cost is a primary concern—and for most families it is—Illinois community colleges offer a stronger return on investment for this credential.