Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Eastern Illinois University vary significantly by field of study. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market.
Analyzing 30 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
#103 nationally
$40K median earnings
Business and technical programs dominate earnings performance, with Banking and Financial Support Services leading at $70,590, followed by Accounting Technology at $70,108. Chemical Engineering Technology produces $66,937 earnings, while Biology and Speech-Language Pathology achieve $54,000-$56,000 ranges. These programs demonstrate Eastern Illinois's strength in career-focused education that translates directly to employment outcomes.
Several programs achieve exceptional national positioning, demonstrating Eastern Illinois's ability to compete at the highest levels in select fields. Family and Consumer Sciences ranks #7 nationally, Chemical Engineering Technology ranks #18 nationally, and Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies achieves #1 ranking in Illinois. These programs represent flagship offerings where Eastern Illinois delivers outcomes that rival much larger institutions, providing students access to top-tier education in specialized fields.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Eastern Illinois University.
Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician. leads engineering & technology with 67K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician. | #20 | $66,937★ | — | 21 |
| Artificial Intelligence.Small sample |
Program outcomes vary significantly within institutions due to labor market demand, educational requirements, and career pathway differences. Rankings reflect post-graduation employment results using federal College Scorecard data, requiring minimum cohorts for statistical reliability. These rankings measure labor-market performance, not academic quality or prestige, helping students understand likely financial outcomes by field. Programs with higher national rankings typically produce graduates with stronger earnings relative to debt levels. Earnings data reflects outcomes for bachelor's degree recipients who entered the workforce rather than continuing immediately to graduate school. Value scores incorporate multiple factors including earnings, debt levels, and employment rates to provide comprehensive program assessment.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Programs achieving strong value scores combine reasonable earnings with manageable debt and good employment prospects. General Studies leads with 76.2 value score despite moderate earnings, while Psychology achieves 76.3 score with solid career preparation. Adult and Continuing Education scores 75.7, and Agricultural Teacher Education reaches 71.2, indicating these programs deliver strong return on educational investment.
Business programs generally show excellent to good affordability ratings, with Accounting Technology achieving excellent status and other business fields rating good. Biology demonstrates good affordability despite moderate debt levels, while several programs including Psychology and Education show manageable affordability ratings. Engineering Technology and higher-earning programs typically provide better debt capacity due to stronger post-graduation earnings.
| $54,266 |
| — |
| 15 |
Business programs at Eastern Illinois University demonstrate exceptional performance, with three programs achieving top-tier outcomes. Banking and Financial Support Services leads with $70,590 median earnings, ranking #105 nationally.
Accounting Technology produces $70,108 earnings, while Actuarial Science graduates earn $50,952 with strong national positioning at #58. Digital Marketing rounds out offerings with $52,427 earnings.
This group shows the strongest earnings potential at the university, best suited for students prioritizing immediate financial returns and career-focused preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #103 | $70,590★ | — | 26 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #124 | $70,108 | — | 39 |
| Digital Marketing. | #162 | $52,427 | — | 39 |
| Actuarial Science. | #61 | $50,952 | $13,689 | 58 |
Speech-Language Pathology represents the primary health program, graduating 21 students annually with median earnings of $56,875. The program ranks #53 nationally with a strong value score of 57.4, indicating good return on investment.
Health programs typically require graduate study for full professional development, making this undergraduate preparation valuable for students committed to healthcare careers. The moderate cohort size ensures personalized attention while maintaining program viability.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.Small sample | — | $70,176★ | — | 9 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #59 | $56,875 | — | 21 |
Biology represents the primary science offering, with graduates earning $54,609 and ranking #113 nationally. The program serves 60 students annually, making it one of the larger science programs.
While earnings are moderate compared to engineering fields, Biology provides solid preparation for health professions and graduate study. Chemical Engineering Technology offers stronger earnings at $66,937, ranking #18 nationally with excellent positioning.
This group suits students seeking technical preparation with varied earning potential based on specific field selection.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #111 | $54,609 | — | 60 |
Psychology leads social science enrollment with 102 graduates earning $43,847, ranking #83 nationally and #4 in Illinois. The program maintains strong value score of 76.3, indicating good return relative to investment.
Applied Sociology and American Government complete offerings with moderate earnings around $40,000-$44,000. These programs prepare students for graduate study or careers in social services, though immediate earnings reflect the field's compensation patterns.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #165 | $43,925★ | — | 28 |
| Psychology, General. | #84 | $43,847 | $14,621 | 102 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #268 | $39,741 | — | 27 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography.Small sample | #88 | $36,162 | — | 14 |
Communication and Media Studies serves 41 graduates with median earnings of $49,603, ranking #82 nationally and #5 in Illinois. The program demonstrates solid performance with value score of 68.2, indicating reasonable return on investment.
Earnings exceed many liberal arts fields while providing practical preparation for media, marketing, and communication careers. The program's state ranking suggests competitive positioning within Illinois higher education.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #82 | $49,603★ | $18,750 | 41 |
| Advertising.Small sample | #75 | $38,369 | — | 15 |
| Broadcast Journalism.Small sample | #121 | $23,803 | — | 13 |
English Language and Literature represents the primary humanities offering, with 29 graduates earning $38,086 annually. The program ranks #215 nationally, reflecting competitive challenges in the field.
While earnings are modest, humanities programs provide valuable critical thinking and communication skills that support diverse career paths. Students should expect to supplement their education with practical skills or pursue graduate study for stronger career positioning.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass Instruments.Small sample | #35 | $47,898★ | — | 13 |
| General Studies. | #47 | $46,407 | — | 123 |
| Applied Linguistics.Small sample | #42 | $46,325 | — | 11 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #226 | $38,086 | — | 29 |
| American History (United States). | #245 | $37,794 | — | 20 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #177 | $33,157 | — | 24 |
Education programs show solid performance with Adult and Continuing Education ranking #54 nationally and #3 in Illinois. Graduates earn $44,325 with 75 students enrolled annually, reflecting steady demand.
Agricultural Teacher Education achieves #41 national ranking with $50,470 earnings. Education programs serve students committed to teaching careers, though earnings reflect typical public education compensation levels.
These programs excel in preparing graduates for immediate employment in educational settings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #41 | $50,470★ | — | 24 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #55 | $44,325 | $28,630 | 75 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #77 | $41,887 | — | 22 |
Corrections Administration. leads criminal justice with 40K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration.Small sample | #179 | $40,489 | — | 13 |
General Studies leads enrollment with 123 graduates annually, ranking #44 nationally with solid value score of 76.2. Median earnings reach $46,407, demonstrating that liberal arts approaches can produce competitive outcomes.
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies ranks #1 in Illinois with $53,724 earnings despite smaller enrollment of 36 students. Family and Consumer Sciences achieves exceptional #7 national ranking, though with lower earnings of $39,560.
This group serves students seeking flexible, broad-based education.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #49 | $53,724★ | — | 36 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #133 | $41,406 | $18,912 | 84 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. | #8 | $39,560 | $17,678 | 64 |
| Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management.Small sample | #28 | $38,234 | — | 16 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
