English Language and Literature at University of Illinois Springfield

UIS English graduates start with impressive salaries—$39,358 puts this program in the 95th percentile nationally, well above both the national median of $30,000 and Illinois's $32,328. That's a strong first-year outcome that rivals larger flagship programs. However, earnings drop to $35,500 by year four, a concerning reversal that warrants explanation. The debt load of $32,574 is higher than both state and national medians, though the 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable in year one.

The challenge here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing dramatically with just a handful of different outcomes. One graduate landing a high-paying corporate communications role or another pursuing graduate school could significantly skew the averages. The earnings decline might reflect normal career transitions (moving between jobs, relocating, or temporary graduate school enrollment) rather than a systemic program weakness.

For an anxious parent, here's the practical takeaway: The program produces competitive starting outcomes, but with such limited data, you're essentially looking at a handful of individual career paths rather than a reliable pattern. If your child is considering UIS English, focus on factors you can verify—internship opportunities, faculty mentorship, career services support—rather than treating these earnings figures as predictive. The debt level is moderate enough that it won't foreclose future options, but the small graduate pool means you shouldn't expect these exact outcomes.