Hospitality Administration/Management at Roosevelt University

Roosevelt's hospitality management program shows an unusual pattern for the field: graduates earn modestly at first ($35,871) but see their income jump 25% by year four to nearly $45,000. That's solid growth in an industry where early-career wages typically plateau quickly. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Illinois schools—not top-tier, but meaningfully above the state median of $35,296. For context, it trails National Louis University's graduates by roughly $3,000 at the starting line, though Roosevelt's stronger earnings trajectory may narrow that gap over time.

The debt picture is reasonable: $23,916 leaves graduates with a 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio, essentially the national average for hospitality programs. Given that 46% of Roosevelt students receive Pell grants, this isn't an excessive burden for what's likely a diverse, first-generation-heavy student body. The Chicago location matters here—hospitality careers in a major metro area typically offer more upward mobility than resort or suburban markets.

For a family seeking an accessible hospitality degree with legitimate career growth potential, this works. The open admission model means your child can get in, and the earnings data suggests they'll have a path to $40,000+ within a few years. Just understand this isn't the fast track to hotel management—it's a steady build that rewards persistence.