Business, Management, Marketing, at Saint Xavier University

Saint Xavier's business program sits solidly in the middle—not a standout performer, but not a cautionary tale either. The first-year earnings of $48,593 lag behind both the Illinois median ($52,394) and the national benchmark ($50,740), landing in the 40th percentile statewide. For Chicago families, that's worth noting: nearby Benedictine graduates earn about $7,600 more initially, suggesting this program doesn't command top-tier market positioning despite being in a major business hub.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $22,280, graduates carry less than the state and national medians, resulting in a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio. For a school serving a majority Pell-eligible student body, keeping debt modest matters—these borrowers can realistically pay down their loans even with below-average starting salaries. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates tracked) means these figures could swing considerably in either direction with a different cohort.

**The bottom line:** This program makes financial sense if your child values Saint Xavier's environment or specific supports, but purely as an earnings investment, Illinois offers stronger options. The combination of moderate debt and below-average earnings suggests graduates will be fine financially, just not ahead of the pack. If proximity to Chicago's business scene were driving higher outcomes, we'd see it in the numbers—and we don't.