Business Administration, Management and Operations at Roosevelt University

Roosevelt University's business administration program falls short of both state and national benchmarks, with first-year graduates earning nearly $5,600 less than the Illinois median. While the school's accessible admissions and significant Pell grant population serve an important mission, the financial outcomes lag behind most competitors. Among Illinois business programs, this ranks at just the 40th percentile—meaning six out of ten similar programs deliver better earnings. The gap is even wider nationally, where Roosevelt lands in the 27th percentile.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $28,600, borrowing sits close to typical levels and results in a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates do see steady income growth of 17% by year four, reaching $47,729, though this still trails the state median by $1,300. For context, comparable Chicago programs like Loyola and UIC produce graduates earning $17,000-$25,000 more in their first year—a substantial difference that compounds over a career.

For families considering Roosevelt, the value proposition centers on accessibility rather than earnings optimization. If your child needs the open admissions policy or benefits from the urban campus location, the manageable debt keeps this viable. But if they can gain admission to more selective Illinois public universities or even mid-tier competitors, those alternatives would likely deliver significantly better returns on the same degree.