Economics at Roosevelt University

Illinois economics programs split dramatically between elite institutions—where University of Chicago grads earn over $90,000 and Northwestern alumni clear $84,000—and programs clustered around the state median of $47,000. Roosevelt's economics degree appears to land in this middle tier, with estimated earnings matching the typical Illinois economics outcome rather than approaching the national benchmark of $51,700.

The estimated debt of $23,700 sits slightly below both state and national medians, producing a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio. For context, this means borrowing roughly half a year's income—reasonable if those first-year earnings represent a starting point rather than a ceiling. However, Roosevelt serves a largely Pell-eligible population (46%), and these families need economics degrees that lead somewhere. The question is whether $47,000 represents entry into roles with clear advancement trajectories or a plateau that limits return on investment.

What matters most here is understanding Roosevelt's specific career support and alumni network in Chicago's finance and business sectors. The wide gap between elite Illinois programs and the state median suggests that institutional reputation and connections drive economics outcomes as much as the degree itself. Before committing, verify where Roosevelt's recent economics graduates actually landed and whether those paths justify taking on nearly $24,000 in debt for mid-tier projected earnings.