Compare 7 Writing, General. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $34,263.
With top graduates earning $49,481, Writing, General. stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $15K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Elmhurst University's Writing, General. program leads with graduates earning $49,481, well above the state average of $34,263. Illinois College follows at $38,289, while North Central College rounds out the top three at $36,848. The $27K spread between top and bottom programs demonstrates significant variation within the same field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Elmhurst University graduates borrow $20,489 and face just a 10.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. However, when parent loans are included, all top programs show family burdens exceeding 25%, requiring careful financial planning.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | $49,481 | 17 | $20,489 | Good | $27,470 | High |
| #2 | Illinois CollegePrivate | $38,289 | 10 | $25,565 | Challenging | $22,975 | High |
| #3 | North Central CollegePrivate | $36,848 | 7 | $24,500 | Challenging | $30,000 | High |
| #4 | $33,844 | 35 | $19,500 | Challenging | $34,511 | High | |
| #5 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | $30,733 | 50 | $25,000 | High | $55,700 | High |
| #6 | Knox CollegePrivate | $28,561 | 39 | $27,000 | High | $28,730 | High |
| #7 | Augustana CollegePrivate | $22,087 | 11 | $27,000 | High | $37,219 | 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 →
