Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Illinois Springfield vary significantly by field of study, reflecting different career paths and labor market demands. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.
Use this data to compare how different majors perform in supporting post-graduation career success.
Analyzing 13 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate strong performance across earnings, national rankings, and enrollment scale.
#96 nationally
$56K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt levels, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Illinois Springfield.
Computer Science stands as the institution's strongest-earning program, delivering $84,231 median earnings and ranking #98 nationally. With 93 graduates annually representing 21% of the total cohort, this program demonstrates both scale and outcomes.
The program ranks #6 in Illinois, positioning University of Illinois Springfield competitively within the state's technology landscape. Students pursuing this path typically benefit from strong regional demand for technology skills and clear career advancement trajectories.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | #96 | $84,231 |
Program rankings reflect labor market outcomes rather than academic prestige or institutional reputation. Earnings differences occur because graduates enter different industries with varying compensation structures, regional demand, and career advancement patterns. Computer Science and business programs typically show higher early-career earnings due to private sector employment, while education, social services, and liberal arts fields often emphasize public service or require graduate education for full earning potential. Rankings use federal College Scorecard data requiring minimum cohort sizes for statistical reliability. These outcomes represent graduates who entered the workforce immediately rather than those pursuing advanced degrees, which affects fields like Biology and Psychology where graduate school continuation is common.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| — |
| 93 |
Business programs dominate enrollment while delivering solid earnings outcomes. Business Administration graduates 122 students annually with $56,368 median earnings and ranks #96 nationally, #2 in Illinois.
Accounting Technology serves 46 graduates earning $60,248, though ranking lower nationally at #189. Together, these programs represent over one-third of total graduates and offer practical career preparation with strong regional employment connections.
Best suited for students prioritizing immediate workforce readiness and management career paths.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #185 | $60,248★ | — | 46 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #94 | $56,368 | $10,994 | 122 |
Biology General produces 27 graduates annually earning $40,644, ranking #326 nationally and #15 in Illinois. While earnings lag technical fields, this program serves students planning graduate school continuation or careers in research, healthcare, and environmental fields.
The lower earnings reflect typical early-career patterns for science graduates who often pursue advanced degrees or entry-level research positions before reaching full earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory.Small sample | — | $52,107★ | — | 9 |
| Biology, General. | #331 | $40,644 | — | 27 |
Psychology General serves 61 graduates annually with $42,777 median earnings and ranks #162 nationally, #8 in Illinois. As one of the larger programs representing 13.7% of graduates, Psychology provides foundation for diverse career paths including social services, human resources, and graduate school preparation.
The program delivers moderate earnings that reflect the field's service orientation and frequent requirement for advanced credentials.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Social Work.Small sample | #124 | $43,871★ | — | 19 |
| Psychology, General. | #159 | $42,777 | $12,060 | 61 |
Communication and Media Studies graduates 32 students annually earning $44,045, ranking #179 nationally and #14 in Illinois. This program serves students seeking careers in media, public relations, corporate communication, and digital content creation.
Earnings reflect the competitive nature of media industries while providing foundation skills applicable across multiple sectors requiring communication expertise.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #183 | $44,045 | — | 32 |
English Language and Literature produces 22 graduates annually earning $35,500, ranking #229 nationally and #12 in Illinois. History graduates 21 students earning $39,070 and ranks #200 nationally, #10 in Illinois.
These programs serve students pursuing teaching, writing, public service, and graduate school pathways where earnings reflect public service orientation and typically require advanced degrees for career advancement.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States). | #220 | $39,070★ | — | 21 |
| General Studies.Small sample | #187 | $38,711 | — | 15 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #244 | $35,500 | — | 22 |
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. leads education with 44K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching.Small sample | #139 | $44,458 | — | 14 |
Corrections Administration serves 20 graduates annually with $48,147 median earnings, ranking #128 nationally and #9 in Illinois. This specialized program prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and security fields with earnings that reflect public service compensation structures.
The program benefits from regional demand for criminal justice professionals and offers clear career advancement pathways within government and private security sectors.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #126 | $48,147 | — | 20 |
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.
