Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Elmhurst University #620 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,543 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Elmhurst University in the 74.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Elmhurst University sits in the 65.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Elmhurst University's Azimuth composite ranking reflects strong financial outcomes for graduates relative to cost paid. These results are anchored by meaningful earnings advantages that place the institution well above typical outcomes among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Elmhurst University #620 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Elmhurst, Illinois, Elmhurst University enrolls roughly 3,006 undergraduates. Retention stands at 79.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 70.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts–focused institution. Elmhurst University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Elmhurst University #515 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,784. The institution's dominant program family, Business, anchors much of this economic output, with strong employer demand in the Chicago metropolitan region supporting solid early-career outcomes. Access and affordability shape the remaining pillars of the composite. Elmhurst University enrolls 36.8% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 35.2% first-generation students, positioning it in the 65.4 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 44.0 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the tuition structure of a private master's institution. Mobility outcomes place the university in the 44.6 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students prioritizing a smaller, values-driven institution with clear pathways into regional business and professional careers, Elmhurst University offers a focused alternative to larger research universities.
Elmhurst University's published cost of attendance is $54,679. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $17,892, middle-income families pay around $23,098, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,232. Azimuth ranks Elmhurst University #798 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Elmhurst University structures aid through need-based and merit-based components, with families applying through the FAFSA. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between published cost and what families actually pay. For families weighing affordability against long-term outcomes, the net-price figures above provide a realistic starting point for financial planning. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,489, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,470; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,784, median federal debt of $20,489 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Elmhurst University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related applied fields who want a private university experience in IL, Midwest. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,784, placing Elmhurst University in the 63.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $4,543 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Elmhurst University in the 74.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 36.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 35.2% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates that place it in the 66.1% percentile for Pell student completion among nonprofit four-year institutions. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 73.6% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related applied fields over STEM-heavy ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find Elmhurst University delivers meaningful upward mobility relative to IL's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,990.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Elmhurst University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carlow University Similar quality tier (#15829 ranked) | PA | 87% | $51,051 | #15829 | Compare |
Illinois Wesleyan University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15831 ranked) | IL | 39% | $70,871 | #15831 | Compare |
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Similar quality tier (#15834 ranked) | PA | 89% | $86,881 | #15834 | Compare |
Yeshiva University Similar quality tier (#15827 ranked) | NY | 56% | $71,353 | #15827 | Compare |
Depauw University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15819 ranked) | IN | 57% | $70,527 | #15819 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Elmhurst University's published cost of attendance is $54,679. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $17,892, middle-income families pay around $23,098, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,232.
Azimuth ranks Elmhurst University #798 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Elmhurst University structures aid through need-based and merit-based components, with families applying through the FAFSA. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between published cost and what families actually pay.
For families weighing affordability against long-term outcomes, the net-price figures above provide a realistic starting point for financial planning. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,489, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,470; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,784, median federal debt of $20,489 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Elmhurst University earn median 4-year earnings of $63,784, placing Elmhurst University in the 63.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,543 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Elmhurst University in the 74.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Elmhurst University #515 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Elmhurst University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 93 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $52,264, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 75 students earning $76,678, and Nursing contributes 56 graduates earning $79,372.
Together, these programs anchor Elmhurst University's return profile, with Business representing the dominant degree concentration. The combination of strong program scale and solid early-career earnings demonstrates how Elmhurst University positions graduates for meaningful long-term financial outcomes.
Computer Science
11 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
25 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
56 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
75 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
39 graduates
Elmhurst University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's applied, career-focused identity. Psychology, General is the largest program with 93 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Nursing, Teacher Education, and Biology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 811 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in Business (representing 20% of graduates) and Education (representing 12% of graduates). The highest-earning programs reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year outcomes signal strong labor-market positioning.
Nursing graduates earn median earnings of $79,372 four years after enrollment with 56 graduates, while Business Administration graduates earn $76,678 and Finance graduates earn $76,433. These programs anchor Elmhurst University's earnings profile and reflect the institution's positioning as a professional-outcomes-oriented private university in the Chicago metropolitan region.
The program portfolio emphasizes applied business, accounting, and professional management fields where employers recruit actively and starting salaries reflect stable, in-demand career pathways. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Elmhurst University's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand.
