Students at Illinois State University achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations, with graduates earning nearly $5,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong outcomes for students from all income backgrounds, places ISU among the top quarter of public universities for long-term financial returns.
Azimuth ranks Illinois State University among the top performers nationally for overall value, reflecting its strong balance of earnings outcomes, reasonable costs, and solid access for students from diverse backgrounds. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public university serves over 20,000 students while maintaining a focus on undergraduate education and career preparation that translates into meaningful long-term financial returns.
What distinguishes Illinois State is its ability to deliver above-average earnings outcomes without the barriers typical of highly selective institutions. Graduates earn a median of $62,117 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the 79th percentile nationally for earnings performance. The institution also generates substantial earnings beyond expectations, with graduates earning nearly $5,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions.
As a comprehensive public university, Illinois State offers the breadth of a major research institution while maintaining strong connections to regional employers and career pathways. The university's position as a "Selective Achievers" institution reflects its ability to produce strong outcomes for the students it serves, combining accessibility with meaningful economic mobility for graduates across a wide range of academic programs.
Illinois State University's program portfolio reflects a comprehensive approach to career preparation, with particular strength in applied fields that connect directly to employment opportunities. Adult and Continuing Education represents the university's largest return generator, graduating 428 students annually with median earnings of $39,054, demonstrating ISU's significant role in preparing educators and training professionals for the regional workforce.
The university's business and technical programs show especially strong earning potential. Digital Marketing, one of the largest programs with 291 graduates, produces median earnings of $46,589, while Construction Management leads in early-career pay at $67,101 for its 59 graduates. These programs reflect Illinois State's ability to adapt to evolving job markets while maintaining strong employer connections that translate into solid career outcomes.
Program diversity at Illinois State allows students to pursue both high-earning technical fields and stable service-oriented careers. While Construction Management and Digital Marketing offer immediate financial returns, programs like Speech-Language Pathology provide pathways to meaningful careers in healthcare and education, even if early earnings appear lower due to graduate school requirements or public service salary structures. This breadth ensures that students can align their academic choices with both personal interests and financial goals.
Illinois State University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $62,117, placing the university in the 79th percentile nationally for earnings performance. More importantly, ISU graduates earn nearly $5,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add substantial value beyond what would be predicted based on student characteristics alone.
The university's return on investment varies significantly by program choice, reflecting its comprehensive academic portfolio. Construction Management leads in early-career earnings at $67,101, followed by Digital Marketing at $46,589, while Adult and Continuing Education represents the highest aggregate return program with 428 graduates earning a median of $39,054. This range illustrates how program selection can substantially impact financial outcomes, with technical and business-oriented fields generally providing stronger immediate returns.
Illinois State's strength lies in its ability to prepare students for stable, well-paying careers across multiple sectors. The university graduates substantial numbers in education, business, and applied fields that connect directly to regional employment opportunities. With over 4,100 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, ISU demonstrates consistent success in moving students into middle-class and upper-middle-class earning brackets, making it a reliable choice for families seeking predictable long-term financial outcomes.
Illinois State University offers predictable and reasonable pricing across income levels, making it accessible to families from diverse economic backgrounds. Low-income students pay approximately $11,075 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $16,424 per year. Even high-income families pay $26,853, which remains competitive for a comprehensive public university of ISU's caliber and program breadth.
The university's debt structure supports sustainable borrowing patterns for most students. Typical graduates leave with $20,482 in federal student loan debt, a manageable amount given the institution's strong earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,000, reflecting moderate family contributions that align with the university's middle-income positioning. With a 0% federal loan default rate, ISU demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their educational investments.
What makes Illinois State particularly sustainable financially is the alignment between borrowing levels and post-graduation earning capacity. With median earnings of $62,117 ten years out, most graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building financial stability. The university's loan repayment trajectory shows that borrowers consistently outperform national averages in paying down balances, with 88-93% percentile performance in early repayment milestones, indicating strong financial outcomes that support debt management.
Illinois State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
