Economics at University of St Francis

Is $47,000 in first-year earnings enough to justify an economics degree from a regional Catholic university? Based on comparable Illinois programs, that's the starting salary students might expect, putting University of St. Francis squarely at the state median but trailing the national benchmark by about $5,000. The estimated debt load of roughly $24,000 keeps the program within safe territory—you're looking at a 50-cent debt-to-dollar-earned ratio, manageable for most graduates in their first year out.

The challenge here is competitive positioning. Illinois economics programs span an enormous range, from Northwestern's $85,000 starters to numbers closer to what peer regional schools produce. Similar programs in the state suggest earnings that lag considerably behind what graduates from the flagship or elite privates command. For a family considering this program, the question becomes whether University of St. Francis offers distinct advantages—perhaps in class size, faith-based education, or geographic ties to the southwest Chicago suburbs—that offset starting $10,000-$15,000 behind state flagship graduates.

The debt picture provides some reassurance. At an estimated $24,000, borrowers face monthly payments around $260 on a standard plan, which should be sustainable on mid-$40,000 salaries. But families should recognize they're paying for a degree that, according to peer programs, produces middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a state with particularly strong economics programs at the top end.