Compare 10 Advertising. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $47,364.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Advertising tells a different story. Across 10 programs in Illinois, earnings range from $24,202 to $62,665—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Advertising program leads with graduates earning $62,665, well above the state average of $47,364. DePaul University follows at $58,268, proving that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige alone.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 6.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $62,665
Strong outcomes ($58,268) with 74% acceptance
6.7% payment burden | Excellent
20.2% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $62,665 | 245 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $58,268 | 189 | $23,168 | Good | $41,563 | High |
| #3 | North Central CollegePrivate | $58,050 | 10 | $24,500 | Good | $30,000 | Challenging |
| #4 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $56,347 | 121 | $24,157 | Good | $54,045 | High |
| #5 | $53,696 | 80 | $20,482 | Good | $28,767 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $48,400 | 69 | $27,000 | Manageable | $41,405 | High |
| #7 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | $44,687 | 35 | $25,000 | Manageable | $55,700 | High |
| #8 | $38,369 | 15 | $21,500 | Challenging | $17,781 | High | |
| #9 | Monmouth CollegePrivate | $28,960 | 7 | $27,000 | High | $27,185 | High |
| #10 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | $24,202 | 21 | $21,500 | High | $23,044 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
