At $11,592/yr net price, Western Illinois University graduates earn $54,163/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,163/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,592 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $46,368 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,163/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,163/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,251 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,968/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,391/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,608/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,515/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,621/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
44.8% of students at Western Illinois 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
Western Illinois gives you a low-cost degree with a middling payoff. At under $12k a year in net price and median debt around $25k, you're not taking on the kind of loan burden that sinks graduates. But the median earnings of $54k ten years out is modest, and two numbers should worry you before you enroll: a 44.8% graduation rate and a 58.7% retention rate. More than four in ten students who start here don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no degree, the math turns against you fast.
Your major decides almost everything about the return. Engineering pays the best at nearly $65k, followed by engineering technology and nursing. Nursing stands out because it pairs solid pay with the lowest debt of the top programs, around $20.5k. Engineering technology does the opposite: it earns well but carries the heaviest debt at $30k. Computer and information sciences sits at the bottom of the listed programs at under $49k, which is soft for a tech field.
The main financial risk here is completion, not cost. Pick a program you'll actually finish, and the low price makes this a reasonable bet. If you're targeting engineering, engineering technology, or nursing, the numbers work in your favor.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48k, you pay roughly $7k a year. That climbs to $11.6k in the $48-75k band and jumps to over $16k once you cross $75k. Families above $110k pay close to $17.6k, so the discount fades quickly as income rises. This school is a strong value if you qualify for the lower tiers and commit to a high-earning major. If you'd pay full price for a lower-paying program and there's a real chance you won't graduate, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Western Illinois University worth the cost compared to other schools?
Western Illinois University offers below-average returns with graduates earning $54,163 ten years after enrollment, which is low for a four-year degree. The low net price of $11,592 helps offset this, but the 44.8% graduation rate means many students leave without finishing their degree.
Which programs at Western Illinois University have the best job prospects?
Educational Administration graduates from Western Illinois University earn the highest salaries at $81,702, followed by Criminal Justice at $71,643. Most other programs fall well below national averages for college graduates.
How much debt do Western Illinois University students graduate with?
Western Illinois University graduates carry a median debt of $25,251, which is manageable given the relatively low cost of attendance. However, the low post-graduation earnings mean debt payments will represent a larger portion of income than at higher-earning schools.
What are the biggest financial risks of attending Western Illinois University?
The main risk is the 44.8% graduation rate, meaning over half of students leave without a degree but often with debt. Those who do graduate face below-average earning potential in most fields.