Business, Management, Marketing, at University of Illinois Chicago

A debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 is generally considered manageable, and peer business programs nationally suggest that's where UIC lands—around $25,000 in debt against first-year earnings near $51,000. This positions the program close to both national and Illinois state medians for business degrees, though notably below what graduates from Benedictine earn in their first year. Given that half of UIC's students receive Pell grants, the relatively moderate debt load matters: these aren't families with unlimited financial cushion.

The challenge with estimated figures is that actual outcomes for UIC business graduates could vary significantly. The school's 79% admission rate and respectable SAT average suggest a solid student body, but we don't know if UIC's Chicago location and connections translate to better placement than these national comparisons would suggest—or worse. Business programs can vary wildly in quality and industry ties even when credentials look similar on paper.

What you're buying here is a business degree from a recognized urban public university at what appears to be a reasonable price point. If your child can graduate with debt near this estimate and secure employment in that $50-52K range, the investment works. But without program-specific outcomes, you're betting on UIC's reputation and Chicago's job market rather than proven track record. That's not necessarily bad—just uncertain.