Finance and Financial Management Services at Roosevelt University

Roosevelt University's finance program starts behind the pack but demonstrates impressive momentum. First-year graduates earn $50,158—below both Illinois and national medians—but by year four, they reach $68,410, a 36% jump that outpaces the trajectory at more selective Illinois programs. This puts Roosevelt graduates within striking distance of those from DePaul and Loyola by mid-career, despite starting $15,000+ lower.

The trade-off is modest: $26,000 in debt translates to a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio, one of the better figures among Illinois finance programs. For a school with a 94% admission rate serving a significant Pell-eligible population (46%), these outcomes suggest the program successfully builds marketable skills even for students who may not arrive with elite academic credentials. The 40th percentile ranking within Illinois reflects that slow start, but the strong earnings growth indicates graduates are competing effectively for better positions as they gain experience.

This program works for families comfortable with a longer runway to competitive earnings. If your child needs immediate high earnings to manage debt, the stronger Illinois programs deliver better starting salaries. But for students seeking access to Chicago's finance sector without elite admissions requirements—and who can build experience over several years—Roosevelt offers a credible path to $68,000+ earnings with below-average debt.