At $17,945/yr net price, Illinois College graduates earn $52,575/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,575/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,945 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $71,780 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,575/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,575/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,565 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,197/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,627/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,241/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,505/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,362/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $43,798 | $26,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $25,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $35,420 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $30,047 | $26,533 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,960 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
61.1% of students at Illinois College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Illinois College sits in a middle position financially. You pay about $17,945 a year net, graduate with roughly $25,565 in debt, and earn a median of $52,575 ten years out. That's a positive spread, but the gap between that median and what the top listed programs report is where you need to pay attention.
The program-level earnings tell a harder story. Accounting leads the listed majors, yet its early-career figure of $43,798 comes paired with $26,500 in debt, the highest debt of any program here. Finance sits at $38,289 against $25,000 in debt. Rhetoric and Composition, Sociology, and Interdisciplinary Studies all land under $38,300 early on. If you pick one of the lower-paying majors, you carry the same debt load as the accounting and finance students but start with several thousand dollars less in income to service it.
Jacksonville is a small central Illinois town, so the accounting and finance paths matter most because they travel well to Springfield, St. Louis, or Chicago. The humanities and social science majors here don't show early salaries that comfortably cover $25,000 in debt without a plan for graduate school or relocation.
The net price tiers work in your favor if your family earns under $48,000, where you pay around $11,200 to $11,600. Above $110,000 you pay $23,362, and the return math tightens fast at that price for anything but the accounting track.
A 61% graduation rate and 70% retention are the real risks. Roughly three in ten of you leave after year one, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst financial outcome here. Illinois College fits you if you commit to accounting or finance, come from a lower-income household, and plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you want a humanities major and full net price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Illinois College's graduates earn $52,575 after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $17,945 per year and median debt of $25,565, the return on investment is modest but manageable for most students.
What are the best paying majors at Illinois College?
Accounting graduates from Illinois College earn the highest salaries at $43,798 annually. Finance and writing studies graduates both earn around $38,289, while sociology and interdisciplinary studies majors earn significantly less at $35,420 and $32,925 respectively.
Do Illinois College graduates struggle with student debt?
Illinois College graduates have a median debt of $25,565, which is reasonable given the school's lower tuition costs. However, the 61% graduation rate means many students take on debt without completing their degree.
Should I choose Illinois College over a state university?
Illinois College costs more than most state schools but offers smaller classes and more personal attention. The trade-off is lower earning potential compared to graduates from larger state universities, making it better suited for students who value the small college experience over maximum financial returns.