Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 50.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 45.2%
- Retention Rate
- 70.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $51,989
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 57.8%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $228/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $70,176 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Master | $61,020 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $59,350 | $17,123 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $54,386 | $25,546 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $53,894 | $39,565 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $22,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $50,677 | $22,229 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $47,260 | $20,226 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $46,673 | $15,478 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $46,673 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $44,971 | $14,627 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. | Master | $43,798 | $29,035 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $43,798 | $21,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $16,348 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $40,768 | $22,625 |
Outcomes Overview
Eastern Illinois graduates earn a median of $51,989 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 41% with typical student loans of $21,500. Monthly loan payments of $228 consume about 5% of gross income, which sits below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong teacher education program feeds into Illinois public schools, where starting salaries align with these earnings figures. Alumni like NFL quarterbacks Tony Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo represent outlier success stories from the communications and kinesiology programs. With 96.3% of graduates finding employment and relatively manageable debt loads, Eastern Illinois delivers an average return on investment for students seeking practical career preparation.