At $10,133/yr net price, Chicago State University graduates earn $42,778/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,778/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,133 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,532 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,778/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,778/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 16.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $30,625 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,025/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,674/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,729/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,801/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,392/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $120,252 | $191,403 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $68,858 | $61,462 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,814 | $34,060 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $40,368 | |
| Social Work. | Master | $39,639 | $66,359 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $37,856 | $37,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,437 | $30,497 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $32,391 | $37,279 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $29,443 | $28,250 |
The Risk Factor
16.9% of students at Chicago State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Chicago State University carries real financial risk. A 16.9% graduation rate means most people who enroll don't finish, and a 46.75% retention rate says nearly half leave after the first year. If you take on the median $30,625 in debt and don't complete the degree, you're stuck with the loan and none of the earning power that pays it back.
Nursing is the one clear win. At $61,814 ten years out, it earns nearly $19,000 more than the next-best bachelor's program, and Chicago's hospital market gives those graduates somewhere to work. The nursing debt load runs higher than average here, but the salary supports it.
The rest of the programs are weak on paper. Teacher education, business administration, mental and social health services, and liberal arts all land in the low-to-mid $30,000s a decade after enrolling. Teacher education is the worst trade: it pairs $37,500 in debt with just $37,856 in earnings, so you borrow almost a full year's salary for a degree that pays about the campus-wide median. Business administration earns even less than teaching despite lighter debt.
The net price tiers are unusual. Families earning over $110k pay $9,392, less than families in the $48-75k and $75-110k brackets, who pay the most at $12,729 and $16,801. If your household lands in that middle range, you carry the heaviest cost here without the aid cushion lower-income families get.
This school makes financial sense if you're set on nursing and confident you'll finish. If you're aiming at teaching, business, or liberal arts, or if you're unsure you'll make it past the first year, the completion odds and flat earnings make a cheaper or higher-completion school the safer bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago State University worth the cost?
Chicago State University has serious ROI concerns with a 17% graduation rate and median earnings of $43K ten years after enrollment. The low net price of $10K helps, but most students don't finish their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Chicago State University?
Pharmacy graduates earn around $120K, making it the clear standout program. Nursing and rehabilitation therapy also provide decent returns at $62K-$69K, while other programs typically lead to below-average earnings.
How much debt do Chicago State University graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $31K, which is manageable compared to earnings only for pharmacy and healthcare program graduates. Other majors may struggle to justify this debt load given typical starting salaries.
Does Chicago State University have good financial aid?
The net price averages just over $10K annually, indicating substantial financial aid for most students. However, the extremely low graduation rate suggests many students leave before completing degrees, potentially wasting aid money.