Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 66.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 66.3%
- Retention Rate
- 81.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $62,117
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,482
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 74.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $217/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. | Master | $95,930 | $29,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $72,884 | $23,515 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $67,101 | $19,757 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $65,194 | $19,500 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $64,990 | $22,043 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $64,791 | $16,818 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $17,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $57,770 | $18,000 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $55,693 | $16,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $54,996 | $20,000 |
| Insurance. | Bachelor | $54,581 | $19,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $54,470 | $20,299 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $53,358 | $23,927 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $52,781 | $18,625 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Bachelor | $50,856 |
Outcomes Overview
Illinois State graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $20,482, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 when measured against their $62,117 median salary after ten years. Monthly loan payments of $217 consume just 4.2% of typical graduate income. The university's strong teacher education programs funnel many graduates into public education, while the robust performing arts department sends alumni to entertainment careers like notable graduates Jane Lynch and John Malkovich. With a 97.7% employment rate and earnings that grow from $46,159 in year one to over $62,000 by year ten, graduates see steady career progression. The combination of reasonable debt loads and solid earning potential delivers a strong return on investment.