Best Business/Commerce, General Degrees in Illinois by ROI
Colleges in Illinois ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Illinois
8
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$15,380
Across Illinois programs
Average Annual Cost
$41,881
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Northeastern Illinois University
Grad rate: 17.7% |
+$271,734 | $62,229 | $27,208 | $17,788 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Aurora University
Grad rate: 59.0% |
+$139,672 | $56,830 | $39,232 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Trinity Christian College
Grad rate: 66.1% |
+$49,636 | $53,895 | $47,066 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
DeVry University-Illinois
Grad rate: 40.1% |
-$24,348 | $51,575 | $38,020 | $47,236 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Saint Xavier University
Grad rate: 55.8% |
-$89,168 | $47,801 | $42,237 | $26,845 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Trinity International University-Illinois
Grad rate: 47.7% |
-$109,557 | $47,637 | $47,751 | $23,180 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
National Louis University
Grad rate: 34.5% |
-$136,100 | $40,265 | $25,350 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Lake Forest College
Grad rate: 74.1% |
-$224,914 | $46,215 | $68,191 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Business/Commerce, General Degrees by State
Browse Business/Commerce, General programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.