Public Health at Rasmussen University-Illinois

Rasmussen University-Illinois graduates with a public health bachelor's degree earn less than typical Illinois graduates in this field while carrying nearly double the debt load. At $35,433 one year out, earnings trail the state median by $4,500 and fall in the 40th percentile among Illinois programs—below mid-tier state universities like Governors State. More concerning is the $40,809 median debt, which ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally and dwarfs the Illinois median of $22,994.

This debt-to-earnings picture creates immediate financial pressure. With debt exceeding first-year income by 15%, graduates face monthly loan payments that consume a larger share of their paycheck than peers at other Illinois schools. For context, public health majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earn $5,000 more annually while typically carrying half the debt burden.

For families choosing between in-state options, this represents poor value compared to alternatives. The high Pell grant percentage (63%) suggests many students here face financial constraints already, making the elevated debt particularly problematic. Unless strong mitigating factors exist—such as location-specific needs or transfer credit advantages—Illinois families should prioritize state universities or other private institutions that deliver better earnings outcomes without the debt premium.