Business Administration, Management and Operations at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's business program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—earning exactly at the 40th percentile among Illinois business programs. Starting salaries of $43,753 trail both the state median ($46,431) and national median ($45,703) by a few thousand dollars, though graduates do see respectable 19% earnings growth over four years. The real concern is the debt load: at $22,500, it's higher than 75% of comparable business programs nationally, creating a tighter financial picture in those crucial early career years when graduates are establishing themselves.

The cost structure here matters. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 isn't alarming, your child would be paying above-average debt for below-average earnings compared to other Illinois business graduates. For context, University of Illinois campuses place graduates earning $65,000-$68,000 annually—about 50% more than SIUE—though obviously at different price points and admission selectivity. Even sister campus Southern Illinois-Carbondale produces graduates earning $55,633, roughly $12,000 more than SIUE.

For families prioritizing accessibility (97% admission rate) and keeping costs manageable, this program delivers a functional business degree that leads to steady employment. But if your child can access higher-ranked Illinois public universities, the earnings premium would likely justify any additional investment. The robust sample size means these numbers are reliable—this is genuinely what SIUE business graduates earn, not a statistical fluke.