Compare 12 Labor Studies. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $58,111.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Labor Studies tells a different story. Across 12 programs, earnings range from $47,719 to $76,995—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Northwestern University's Labor Studies program leads with graduates earning $76,995, well above the $58,111 average. But the real insight comes from Benedictine University at #2 with $70,999 earnings and a 77% acceptance rate—proving accessible programs can deliver premium outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Northwestern graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 3.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Even with parent loans included, Northwestern maintains an 11.6% family burden, keeping payments manageable for graduates earning $77,000.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $76,995 | 19 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #2 | Benedictine UniversityPrivate | $70,999 | 18 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,900 | Manageable |
| #3 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | $60,962 | 24 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,044 | Manageable |
| #4 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | $59,823 | 7 | $21,079 | Excellent | $24,148 | Manageable |
| #5 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | $59,191 | 7 | $22,000 | Good | $27,213 | Challenging |
| #6 | Mckendree UniversityPrivate | $56,526 | 14 | $23,250 | Good | $22,582 | Challenging |
| #7 | Concordia University-ChicagoPrivate | $56,415 | 17 | $23,000 | Good | $18,968 | Challenging |
| #8 | North Central CollegePrivate | $54,317 | 18 | $24,500 | Good | $30,000 | High |
| #9 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $53,358 | 12 | $24,157 | Good | $54,045 | High |
| #10 | $51,901 | 29 | $25,251 | Good | $20,764 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $49,131 | 44 | $14,600 | Excellent | $13,578 | Manageable | |
| #12 | Greenville UniversityPrivate | $47,719 | 20 | $23,875 | Manageable | $29,985 | 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 →
