Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Lewis University #634 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,307 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 71.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Lewis University #519 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong graduate outcomes relative to cost. --- Lewis University's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across Azimuth's value pillars, with particular strength in return on investment. Graduates achieve meaningful financial outcomes that outperform expectations for similar students at comparable institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lewis University #634 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Romeoville, Illinois, Lewis University enrolls roughly 4,015 undergraduates. Retention is 79.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 66.6%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Lewis University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Lewis University #519 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,307 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lewis University in the 71.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in business and professional fields, where employers actively recruit and early-career earnings tend to be competitive. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Lewis University sits in the 65.4 percentile for access and the 67.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private institution, the sticker price is higher than at public universities, though need-based aid reshapes the actual cost for families that qualify. Mobility outcomes sit in the 9.9 percentile, reflecting solid career progression for graduates but not the outsized earnings lift seen at the institution's strongest peer comparisons.
Lewis University's published cost of attendance is $47,313. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,382, families in the lower-middle range pay around $11,712, middle-income families pay about $12,178, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $19,908, and higher-income families pay around $25,035. Azimuth ranks Lewis University #459 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. Lewis University participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the spread across income bands shows how aid intensity varies by family financial circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,044; 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 Lewis University's median four-year earnings of $66,586, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Lewis University is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a private university experience in IL's Midwest region. The university's program mix is concentrated in Business, representing 18% of degrees. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $66,586, placing Lewis University in the 70.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,307 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 71.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 32.6% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 39.4% identifying as first-generation. The admission rate is 71.3%, making the application process selective but accessible. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors Business and related fields, and the net price for higher-income families is $25,035. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes 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
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Lewis University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Lewis University's published cost of attendance is $47,313. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,382, families in the lower-middle range pay around $11,712, middle-income families pay about $12,178, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $19,908, and higher-income families pay around $25,035.
Azimuth ranks Lewis University #459 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.
Lewis University participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants.
The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the spread across income bands shows how aid intensity varies by family financial circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,044; 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 Lewis University's median four-year earnings of $66,586, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 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 Lewis University earn median 4-year earnings of $66,586, placing Lewis University in the 70.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,307 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lewis University in the 71.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lewis University #519 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Lewis University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Computer Science is the largest program with 114 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $82,159, performing at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Criminal Justice program graduates 113 students earning $62,640 four years after enrollment, while Nursing and Air Transportation round out the top programs with four-year earnings of $85,320 and $87,197 respectively.
These outcomes align with Lewis University's dominant program family of Business, which anchors the institution's long-term financial returns and positions graduates for stable career pathways in fields with sustained employer demand.
Air Transportation
104 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services
5 graduates
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
6 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
111 graduates
Computer Science
114 graduates
Lewis University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private nonprofit university serving working and traditional students. Computer Science is the largest program with 114 graduates, followed by Criminal Justice, Nursing, Air Transportation, and Business Administration.
Across 32 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with particular strength in business and applied professional fields. The earnings pattern reflects a portfolio oriented toward stable, workforce-ready outcomes.
Air Transportation leads with median earnings of $87,197 four years after enrollment, followed by Nursing at $85,320, Computer Science at $82,159, Business Administration at $71,987, and Criminal Justice at $62,640. The concentration of Business as 18% of the degree portfolio, alongside Education at 9% and other STEM fields at 2%, creates a signature aligned with regional employer demand and professional advancement pathways.
Many of Lewis University's dominant programs are high-mobility fields where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these applied professional fields align with current hiring trends and wage growth in the Midwest and beyond.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trevecca Nazarene University Similar quality tier (#18027 ranked) | TN | 69% | $49,378 | #18027 | Compare |
University Of Bridgeport Similar quality tier (#18030 ranked) | CT | 83% | $50,323 | #18030 | Compare |
Tuskegee University Similar quality tier (#18031 ranked) | AL | 49% | $49,641 | #18031 | Compare |
Centre College Similar quality tier (#17999 ranked) | KY | 54% | $66,240 | #17999 | Compare |
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Similar quality tier (#17994 ranked) | PR | 38% | $24,539 | #17994 | Compare |
