Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 46.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 44.8%
- Retention Rate
- 58.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $54,163
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,251
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 59.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $268/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $81,702 | $36,730 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $71,643 | $36,796 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $64,990 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,166 | $21,230 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $60,771 | $30,059 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,334 | $20,559 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $57,318 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $55,338 | |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $52,941 | $24,656 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education. | Master | $51,482 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $50,856 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $49,729 | $27,407 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $48,823 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $48,667 | $24,242 |
Outcomes Overview
Western Illinois graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $25,251 and earn $54,163 ten years after graduation. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 46%, well below the concerning 60% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $268 represent just 5.9% of typical graduate income. The university's strong teacher education programs feed graduates into stable education careers, contributing to the solid 96.5% employment rate. Many graduates stay in Illinois, where the cost of living helps stretch their earnings further. Ray Kroc's success story aside, most Western Illinois alumni find steady middle-class careers rather than wealth. The combination of affordable tuition and decent earnings creates a strong return on investment for students seeking practical career preparation.