Compare 13 Illustration. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $40,435.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Illustration tells a different story. Across 13 programs, earnings range from $19,028 to $54,712—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Illustration program leads with graduates earning $54,712, well above the $40,435 average across Illinois programs. DePaul University follows at $52,942, proving that program outcomes vary dramatically even within the same state—a $35K gap that has nothing to do with institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates borrow $19,500 and face just an 8.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. DePaul students face a similar 10.5% burden, proving that strong illustration programs can deliver both earnings and affordability.
Highest program earnings: $54,712
Strong outcomes with 74% acceptance
8.3% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
25.3% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $54,712 | 108 | $19,500 | Good | $34,511 | High | |
| #2 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $52,942 | 85 | $23,168 | Good | $41,563 | High |
| #3 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $48,152 | 37 | $27,000 | Manageable | $41,405 | High |
| #4 | North Central CollegePrivate | $47,107 | 23 | $24,500 | Manageable | $30,000 | High |
| #5 | Augustana CollegePrivate | $46,417 | 14 | $27,000 | Manageable | $37,219 | High |
| #6 | $42,578 | 68 | $16,704 | Good | $24,323 | High | |
| #7 | $39,287 | 30 | $20,482 | Manageable | $28,767 | High | |
| #8 | Dominican UniversityPrivate | $39,095 | 27 | $24,411 | Challenging | $19,865 | High |
| #9 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | $38,783 | 272 | $25,000 | Challenging | $55,700 | High |
| #10 | Judson UniversityPrivate | $37,466 | 10 | $25,000 | Challenging | $26,048 | High |
| #11 | $30,409 | 8 | $26,082 | High | $19,098 | High | |
| #12 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $29,685 | 12 | $24,157 | High | $54,045 | High |
| #13 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | $19,028 | 18 | $22,000 | High | $27,213 | 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 →
