At $20,152/yr net price, Roosevelt University graduates earn $48,712/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,712/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,152 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,712/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,712/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,863/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,288/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,274/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,967/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,033/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $64,990 | $127,304 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,350 | $33,831 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $60,082 | $40,879 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $55,577 | $45,158 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $54,531 | $27,000 |
| Biotechnology. | Master | $53,358 | |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $50,105 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $49,918 | $25,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $48,563 | $25,500 |
The Risk Factor
41.0% of students at Roosevelt University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Roosevelt University gives you a mixed financial picture with real warning signs. The median graduate earns under $49,000 ten years out, which barely clears what a Chicago worker without a degree makes, and that number only counts people who finished. With a 41% graduation rate and only 62% of freshmen returning for year two, finishing is the risk you take on when you enroll here.
Your major decides whether the math works. Business Administration is the clear winner at Roosevelt, and it pays for itself even carrying the highest debt load on the list at $27,000. Accounting and Finance land close behind and set you up for Chicago's large financial and corporate job market. Mathematics also pays, which is unusual and worth knowing. The Liberal Arts and General Studies degree sits at the bottom of the earnings list, so if that's your plan, the price here is hard to justify.
The biggest financial risk is paying for years you don't finish. If you drop out with debt and no degree, you get the cost without the payoff, and Roosevelt's retention and graduation numbers make that a live possibility. The median debt of $22,000 is manageable on a business salary and heavy on a humanities one.
Net price climbs steeply with income. Under $30,000, you pay around $15,900 a year. over $110,000, that jumps to about $30,000. Middle-income families in the $75,000 to $110,000 band feel the squeeze most, paying nearly $24,000 with less aid to cushion it.
Roosevelt fits you if you're targeting business, accounting, finance, or math and you're confident you'll graduate. If you want a general or humanities degree, or you're unsure about finishing, a lower-cost Chicago option protects your money better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roosevelt University worth the cost compared to other Chicago schools?
Roosevelt University's graduates earn $48,712 after 10 years, which is below average for Chicago-area schools. With a net price of $20,152 annually and only a 41% graduation rate, the ROI is weak compared to alternatives.
What Roosevelt University programs have the best job prospects and salaries?
Clinical and counseling psychology graduates earn around $64,990, making it Roosevelt's strongest ROI program. Business and accounting graduates typically earn $54,000-61,000, which is solid but not exceptional for these fields.
How much debt do Roosevelt University graduates typically have?
Roosevelt graduates leave with a median debt of $22,000, which is manageable given the relatively low net price. However, the bigger concern is the low graduation rate of 41%, meaning many students accumulate debt without finishing their degree.
Does Roosevelt University provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Roosevelt's net price of $20,152 suggests decent financial aid for a private university. The real risk is the high dropout rate, which means nearly 6 out of 10 students don't complete their programs despite paying tuition.