Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Roosevelt University

Liberal arts degrees in Illinois typically start around $42,000 in first-year earnings, and Roosevelt's program appears positioned right at this state median. What separates this program, however, is the trajectory: by year four, earnings jump to nearly $68,000—a substantial climb that outpaces many peer institutions. While we're working with estimated debt figures based on similar Illinois programs (around $31,000), the four-year earnings data for Roosevelt graduates is actual reported performance.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 suggests manageable starting payments, but the real story is where graduates land after a few years of career development. The $68,000 mark by year four exceeds what graduates from Chicago State or Aurora achieve, though it still trails DePaul's outcomes by a meaningful margin. For a school serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (46%), this upward earnings curve matters—it suggests the degree creates genuine mobility rather than just entry-level access.

The key uncertainty here is whether Roosevelt's actual debt levels match the state estimates. If they run higher, that initial year becomes tighter financially. But if the debt projections hold and the earnings trajectory continues, you're looking at a program that may start modestly but builds toward solid middle-class outcomes—assuming your student can navigate those lean first couple of years after graduation.