Finance and Financial Management Services at Rasmussen University-Illinois

Rasmussen's finance program starts roughly $6,000 below the Illinois median for first-year earnings, though graduates show solid momentum with 34% income growth by year four. More concerning is the debt load: at $31,000, it's about $7,000 higher than what Illinois finance grads typically carry. This puts the program in the 40th percentile for earnings within Illinois but combines it with above-average borrowing—a challenging trade-off when peers at schools like DePaul or Loyola start $19,000 ahead right out of the gate.

The math works, but barely. A 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and that 34% earnings trajectory suggests graduates find their footing after a slow start. With 63% of students receiving Pell grants, the program clearly serves students who need access to a finance degree. However, you're paying somewhat more to earn somewhat less than the typical Illinois finance graduate, at least initially.

For families focused purely on return on investment, stronger Illinois options exist. But if accessibility, flexible scheduling, or location constraints make Rasmussen the practical choice, the program won't derail your child's career—just expect a steeper climb early on and make sure they're committed to aggressively building experience and networking to close that initial earnings gap.