Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Eureka College #1129 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,648 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eureka College in the 33.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Eureka College #1268 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Eureka College #1129 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Eureka, Illinois, Eureka College enrolls roughly 522 undergraduates. Retention stands at 50.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 41.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts institution. Eureka College draws strength from its focus on teacher preparation and education-related fields. 48.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 34.2% are first-generation college students, positioning the college as an accessible option for students from modest economic backgrounds. Graduates earn about $5,648 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eureka College in the 33.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Eureka College #1182 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability anchor the college's value proposition. The broad enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students reflects Eureka College's mission-driven commitment to educational access. Affordability sits in the 62.9 percentile and mobility in the 14.3 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, underscoring the college's role as a pathway institution for students seeking stable career outcomes in education and related fields without excessive debt burden.
Eureka College's published cost of attendance is $39,578. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $13,711, middle-income families pay around $14,602, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,482. Azimuth ranks Eureka College #529 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. Eureka College meets demonstrated financial need through need-based aid, with aid packages combining grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $20,502; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $49,625, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Eureka College is a strong fit for students drawn to education and related fields who want a small private college experience in IL, Midwest. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $49,625, placing Eureka College in the 10.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $5,648 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eureka College in the 33.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 48.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 34.2% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $23,482, with need-based aid available to close the gap for qualifying students. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 85.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Education fields over other disciplines. Students whose interests align with those areas will find focused academic support and career preparation.
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
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Eureka College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
22 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
19 graduates
Psychology, General
15 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
24 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
5 graduates
Eureka College's program mix is anchored in education and the liberal arts — a portfolio shaped by the institution's identity as a private liberal arts college. Teacher Education is the largest program with 24 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Psychology, General, and Kinesiology.
Education represents 22% of degrees awarded, reflecting the institution's core mission and regional labor-market demand. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in fields where Eureka College maintains substantial enrollment.
Business Administration graduates earn median earnings of $57,983 four years after enrollment, while Criminal Justice graduates earn $52,845. Psychology, General and Teacher Education round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $51,353 and $44,805 respectively.
These outcomes reflect the institution's strength in preparing students for direct workforce entry in fields with stable regional demand. Education-focused programs at Eureka College connect to in-demand roles in school systems across Illinois and the broader Midwest, where teacher shortages continue to create hiring opportunities.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with labor-market conditions. As a smaller liberal arts institution, Eureka College graduates a focused cohort annually, which shapes the intensity of alumni networks and employer relationships within regional education and nonprofit sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Franklin Pierce University Similar quality tier (#30629 ranked) | NH | 93% | $53,353 | #30629 | Compare |
Fisher College Similar quality tier (#30626 ranked) | MA | 71% | $49,669 | #30626 | Compare |
Tougaloo College Similar quality tier (#31150 ranked) | MS | 60% | $34,724 | #31150 | Compare |
Carson-Newman University Similar quality tier (#31151 ranked) | TN | 90% | $48,382 | #31151 | Compare |
Spring Arbor University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#31154 ranked) | MI | 52% | $51,732 | #31154 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Eureka College's published cost of attendance is $39,578. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $13,711, middle-income families pay around $14,602, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,482.
Azimuth ranks Eureka College #529 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.
Eureka College meets demonstrated financial need through need-based aid, with aid packages combining grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $20,502; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $49,625, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 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 Eureka College earn median 4-year earnings of $49,625, placing Eureka College in the 10.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs below the $57,042 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn about $5,648 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eureka College in the 33.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Eureka College #1182 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
These figures represent lifetime returns relative to IL's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,990 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential). The earnings pattern centers on education and teaching fields, which align with Eureka College's dominant program family.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 24 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $44,805, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 22 students with median 4-year earnings of $57,983, at 0.8x benchmark.
Criminal Justice and Psychology, General round out the core program portfolio, each serving meaningful cohorts with earnings outcomes aligned to their respective national benchmarks. This concentration in Education reflects Eureka College's institutional mission and graduate career pathways into stable, in-demand roles within education and related service sectors.
