Public Administration at Roosevelt University

Chicago-area students pursuing public service careers should know that Roosevelt's Public Administration program carries estimated debt of $30,167—roughly $6,500 above the national median for this field. Based on comparable programs nationwide, first-year earnings of about $45,000 suggest a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67, meaning graduates would need to dedicate roughly eight months of gross pay to eliminate their loans. That's manageable but not generous, particularly for a field where entry-level government and nonprofit positions often cluster at the lower end of the salary spectrum.

The limited data available makes it difficult to assess how Roosevelt specifically prepares students compared to the handful of other Illinois schools offering this degree. What we do know is that public administration programs nationally show considerable variation in outcomes—the top quarter of programs see graduates earning $56,000 or more in their first year, creating a cushion that makes the degree investment clearer. Without knowing where Roosevelt falls in that range, families are betting that the program's Chicago location and internship connections translate to the higher end of typical outcomes.

For families borrowing near $30,000, the practical question is whether Roosevelt's particular strengths—its urban setting, accessibility (94% admission rate), and focus on first-generation students (46% receive Pell grants)—justify taking on above-median debt for a field where salaries start modest. If city government or nonprofit work in Chicago is the goal, the location matters. Otherwise, compare carefully with state schools where published data might offer more certainty.