Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at University of St Francis

The small sample size here demands caution, but the numbers suggest University of St Francis may struggle to deliver competitive value in this field. Starting at $45,735—well below both the national median ($62,069) and Illinois median ($48,715)—graduates earn roughly $13,000 less than peers at other Illinois schools in the same program. While the 40th percentile ranking within Illinois sounds middle-of-the-pack, it masks a substantial gap: top Illinois programs like North Central College ($85,168) and UIUC ($72,527) start nearly double what St Francis graduates earn.

The 39% earnings growth to $63,636 by year four helps narrow the gap, but even then graduates remain behind the national starting salary for this major. The $24,250 debt load is fairly typical for Illinois programs in this field, yielding a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, the fundamental question is whether the initial earnings justify the investment when stronger programs in Illinois—including the state's flagship public university—offer significantly better outcomes.

For families comparing options, the data suggests this program underperforms most alternatives in Illinois. Unless St Francis offers unique circumstances like proximity, scholarship aid, or specific career connections that would offset the earnings gap, prospective students should carefully weigh whether this program positions them competitively in the management analytics field.