Management Information Systems and Services at Rockford University

The $26,500 in estimated debt looks manageable against comparable Illinois MIS programs' first-year earnings around $68,000, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39. That's better than the national median debt for this degree ($24,000) suggests, particularly since Illinois MIS graduates typically earn more than the national median by nearly $9,000. While Rockford's figures are estimates based on peer programs rather than their own graduates' outcomes, the underlying math works in a student's favor—debt that represents roughly five months of gross income is generally sustainable.

The challenge lies in Rockford's position among Illinois competitors. Top programs like U of I and DePaul report earnings above $68,000, while Illinois State comes in at $53,000. Whether Rockford's graduates land closer to the high or low end will significantly impact return on investment. The university serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (42%), which is commendable, but moderate selectivity and below-average SAT scores suggest families should verify what employer relationships and job placement support the program actually delivers.

Without reported outcomes specific to Rockford, you're betting on the strength of Illinois's tech sector rather than proven results from this particular program. If your student has offers from schools with documented earnings data—particularly the larger Illinois universities—those provide more certainty about what comes after graduation.