Compare 16 General Studies. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $44,522.
General Studies programs produce graduates earning between $28,309 and $71,435—a $43K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 16 ranked programs in Illinois, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
DePaul University's General Studies program leads with graduates earning $71,435, significantly above the state average of $44,522. Roosevelt University follows at $67,732, proving that focused program evaluation beats relying on school rankings. Even smaller programs like Quincy University ($49,520) compete effectively in this field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. DePaul graduates borrow $23,168 and face just a 6.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Roosevelt University leads with a 16.2% family burden, still in the 'Manageable' range despite strong $67,732 outcomes.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $71,435 | 141 | $23,168 | Excellent | $41,563 | Challenging |
| #2 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | $67,732 | 9 | $22,000 | Excellent | $27,213 | Manageable |
| #3 | Quincy UniversityPrivate | $49,520 | 6 | $24,000 | Manageable | $16,609 | Challenging |
| #4 | Chicago State UniversityPublic | $49,005 | 36 | $30,625 | Manageable | $13,256 | Challenging |
| #5 | $48,131 | 61 | $22,162 | Good | $19,508 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $46,407 | 123 | $21,500 | Manageable | $17,781 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Aurora UniversityPrivate | $44,614 | 11 | $20,318 | Manageable | $19,500 | High |
| #8 | $42,666 | 169 | $25,251 | Manageable | $20,764 | High | |
| #9 | $41,581 | 158 | $14,600 | Good | $13,578 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Saint Xavier UniversityPrivate | $40,385 | 24 | $22,223 | Manageable | $20,742 | High |
| #11 | $38,711 | 15 | $19,128 | Manageable | $13,450 | High | |
| #12 | $38,684 | 144 | $20,482 | Manageable | $28,767 | High | |
| #13 | $38,449 | 54 | $21,543 | Challenging | $19,500 | High | |
| #14 | $37,766 | 108 | $18,618 | Manageable | $13,991 | High | |
| #15 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | $28,960 | 19 | $15,000 | High | $33,297 | High |
| #16 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | $28,309 | 12 | $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 →
