At $29,550/yr net price, Illinois Wesleyan University graduates earn $70,871/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $36,871/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,550 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $118,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $70,871/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$36,871/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 82.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,011/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,494/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,284/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,757/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,699/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $62,792 | $26,967 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,775 | $27,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $61,516 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $53,358 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $50,356 | $26,495 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $44,356 | |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $43,426 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $36,674 |
The Risk Factor
82.5% of students at Illinois Wesleyan University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Illinois Wesleyan gives you a solid but not spectacular financial return. An 82.5% graduation rate and 84.55% retention mean you're likely to finish, and finishing is what makes the debt payoff work. Median earnings ten years out clear $70,000, comfortably above the roughly $27,000 in debt you'd carry. That debt-to-earnings ratio is the healthy part of the story.
Accounting and nursing are the strongest bets here, both landing near $62,800 early on with debt in the same $27,000 range you'd take on anywhere. Nursing pays off especially well because central Illinois and the Bloomington-Normal area have steady hospital demand. Economics tracks close behind. Finance and general business management sit lower, in the $50,000s, so if you're paying private-school prices for a management degree, the early return is thinner than the accounting or nursing path down the hall.
The main risk is the sticker cost against those business-side salaries. At nearly $30,000 a year net, a management or finance degree starting in the low $50,000s takes longer to justify than accounting or nursing at the same price.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $21,000 a year. the $30,000-$75,000 range pays roughly $24,000. Aid flattens out above that, and once your family clears $110,000 you're paying close to $36,000 a year with little discount.
This school fits you if you're aiming at accounting, nursing, or economics and you land meaningful need-based aid. If you're a higher-income family paying full freight for a general business degree, run the numbers hard against a cheaper public option before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois Wesleyan University worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of $29,550 and median earnings of $70,871 after 10 years, Illinois Wesleyan provides decent returns but not exceptional value. The high graduation rate of 82.5% helps justify costs, though you'll likely graduate with around $27,000 in debt.
What are the best paying majors at Illinois Wesleyan University?
Accounting leads at $62,792 annually, followed closely by nursing at $62,775. Economics graduates earn $61,516, while business and finance majors see lower returns around $50,000-$53,000.
How much debt do Illinois Wesleyan University graduates typically have?
The median debt is $27,000, which is manageable given the school's decent earning outcomes. Most graduates can reasonably pay this off within 10-15 years if they stick to career-relevant fields.
Does Illinois Wesleyan University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $29,550 suggests moderate financial aid, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. However, this still represents a significant investment that requires careful consideration of your intended major and career goals.