Business/Commerce at Saint Xavier University

Saint Xavier's business program starts graduates below both national and state medians at $44,190, but here's what matters: earnings jump 31% by year four to nearly $58,000. That trajectory outpaces the typical business graduate and suggests the program's professional network and curriculum deliver value over time, not just at graduation. Among Illinois business programs, this ranks right at the 40th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack in a competitive state market.

The debt picture is reasonable at $26,845, translating to a 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable on a business graduate's starting salary. With 56% of students receiving Pell grants, Saint Xavier clearly serves working-class Chicago families, and the 86% admission rate means access isn't a barrier. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers are reliable enough to trust.

The practical question for parents: can your family handle a few lean years while your graduate builds their career? Those first-year earnings lag behind competitors like DeVry ($57,020) and Trinity International ($47,463), but by year four, Saint Xavier grads have closed much of that gap. If your child is patient and willing to work their way up—common in Chicago's business environment—this program delivers value. Just understand you're betting on growth, not an immediate payoff.