Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vary significantly by field of study, with median earnings ranging from $33,384 in Behavioral Neuroscience to $143,775 in Computer Science. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige, helping students understand how different academic paths translate into career outcomes.
Analyzing 73 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that distinguish themselves through exceptional national rankings, strong graduate earnings, or outstanding value propositions across the institution's diverse academic portfolio.
#6 nationally
$68K 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 graduate earnings, national rankings, debt levels, and enrollment size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Engineering programs at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign rank among the nation's strongest, with Computer Engineering ranking #7 nationally and producing median earnings of $122,137. Computer Science ranks #24 nationally with exceptional earnings of $143,775, while traditional engineering fields like Electrical and Mechanical Engineering maintain solid outcomes above $87,000.
These programs combine rigorous technical preparation with excellent job market positioning, though debt levels vary by specialty. This group suits students prioritizing high earnings potential and strong national program recognition.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Program outcomes reflect graduates' actual earnings and debt levels as reported to the Department of Education through College Scorecard data. Rankings evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and value scores that combine outcomes with costs. Different programs produce varying outcomes based on labor market demand, regional employment patterns, and typical career pathways. These rankings reflect post-graduation results rather than academic reputation or program quality measures. Students should consider that programs with lower earnings may provide excellent preparation for graduate study or careers where financial compensation differs from immediate post-graduation earnings. Cohort sizes indicate the number of graduates included in federal earnings data, with larger cohorts providing greater confidence in reported outcomes. All earnings represent median figures for graduates tracked ten years after initial enrollment.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| #6 |
| $181,981★ |
| $46,172 |
| 292 |
| Computer Engineering. | #2 | $159,855 | $52,671 | 318 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | #4 | $146,946 | — | 100 |
| Nuclear Engineering. | #1 🏆 | $116,047 | — | 23 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | #8 | $111,783 | $41,458 | 177 |
| Systems Engineering. | #2 | $106,805 | — | 92 |
| Chemical Engineering. | #7 | $104,317 | $27,972 | 155 |
| Industrial Engineering. | #4 | $103,143 | — | 79 |
| Engineering Physics. | — | $102,211 | $49,184 | 79 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | #12 | $97,926 | — | 80 |
| Materials Engineering. | #1 🏆 | $97,924 | — | 87 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. | #14 | $97,276 | $50,909 | 120 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #27 | $95,329 | $48,993 | 265 |
| Civil Engineering. | #15 | $91,650 | $40,295 | 157 |
| Engineering Mechanics. | — | $89,617 | — | 28 |
| Agricultural Engineering. | #1 🏆 | $89,400 | $30,427 | 118 |
Business and economics programs deliver strong financial returns with lower debt burdens than engineering fields. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #13 nationally with earnings of $99,685, while Information Resources Management ranks #5 nationally at $96,374.
Accounting Technology produces solid outcomes at $80,736 with strong value scores. Applied Economics provides broader preparation with $75,600 median earnings.
These programs excel for students seeking business careers with manageable debt levels and diverse specialization options.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | #5 | $119,978★ | $38,792 | 301 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | #2 | $116,339 | $36,361 | 240 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | #9 | $107,904 | $60,750 | 136 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | #6 | $104,172 | $30,368 | 84 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | #3 | $101,098 | $34,472 | 353 |
| Marketing. | #11 | $90,744 | $61,001 | 156 |
Health-focused programs at UIUC emphasize preparation for advanced study and public health careers rather than immediate high earnings. Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #8 nationally with earnings of $61,751 and represents one of the larger programs with 193 graduates.
These programs typically serve students planning graduate study in health professions, public health, or related fields where initial earnings may be modest but long-term career prospects remain strong through advanced education.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | #4 | $69,195★ | $26,500 | 119 |
| Public Health. | #9 | $65,978 | $23,952 | 150 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | #6 | $65,605 | $30,641 | 83 |
Mathematical and scientific programs show varied outcomes depending on career pathways and graduate school intentions. Mathematical Statistics ranks #10 nationally with strong earnings of $84,760, reflecting quantitative skills demand in finance and technology sectors.
Anatomy produces more modest earnings of $59,437 but serves as preparation for medical and health professional programs. These programs work well for students planning graduate study or careers requiring strong analytical foundations, though immediate earnings vary substantially by specialization.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics. | #5 | $105,978★ | $38,503 | 333 |
| Physics. | #11 | $81,077 | — | 47 |
| Mathematics. | #16 | $78,891 | $46,422 | 182 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology.Small sample | — | $71,425 | — | 14 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences. | #5 | $70,213 | $51,731 | 303 |
| Chemistry. | #16 | $70,197 | $40,720 | 114 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.Small sample | #13 | $68,201 | — | 18 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. | — | $60,352 | $51,240 | 142 |
Social science programs combine solid earnings with strong national recognition and diverse career pathways. American Government and Politics ranks #31 nationally with median earnings of $63,542, while Applied Economics provides quantitative preparation with $75,600 outcomes.
Behavioral Neuroscience ranks #36 nationally though with lower initial earnings of $33,384, often serving pre-med students. These programs suit students interested in public service, policy work, or graduate study in related fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | #17 | $86,860★ | $41,041 | 387 |
| Political Science and Government. | #12 | $69,515 | $29,500 | 260 |
| Geography and Cartography. | #10 | $62,504 | — | 20 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | #8 | $60,168 | $35,500 | 557 |
| Social Work. | #16 | $56,917 | $34,511 | 76 |
| Sociology. | #30 | $55,393 | $36,015 | 83 |
| Anthropology. | #21 | $43,554 | — | 30 |
Communication programs at UIUC achieve exceptional value through high national rankings and strong earnings relative to typical outcomes in these fields. Communication and Media Studies ranks #13 nationally with earnings of $61,211 and outstanding value scores of 95.3.
Advertising ranks #8 nationally with similar earnings of $62,665. These programs demonstrate how strong institutional reputation can translate into above-average outcomes in traditionally lower-earning fields, making them attractive for students passionate about media and communication careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | #2 | $83,451★ | $41,737 | 200 |
| Journalism. | #1 🏆 | $67,539 | $28,706 | 58 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | #11 | $66,439 | $29,716 | 315 |
Humanities & Arts graduates earn 49K on average, with 5 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | #7 | $65,186★ | $50,000 | 100 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | #8 | $61,801 | $39,376 | 69 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. | #5 | $61,774 | — | 29 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #37 | $54,570 | $41,500 | 94 |
| Music. | #15 | $50,544 | $44,790 | 56 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | #3 | $49,323 | — | 37 |
| History. | #38 | $46,718 | $32,145 | 101 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | #7 | $44,004 | $34,411 | 24 |
| Philosophy. | #27 | $34,482 | — | 30 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | #34 | $20,140 | — | 30 |
Education graduates earn 59K on average, with 2 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General.Small sample | #1 🏆 | $65,864★ | — | 11 |
| Special Education and Teaching.Small sample | #4 | $60,685 | — | 19 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | #13 | $55,105 | $24,521 | 131 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | #13 | $52,409 | $51,907 | 57 |
Agricultural business programs leverage Illinois' agricultural heritage with modern business applications. Agribusiness ranks #3 nationally with strong earnings of $74,858 and exceptional value scores of 95.8, demonstrating the market value of combining agricultural knowledge with business skills.
This program represents excellent preparation for careers in agricultural technology, food systems, and rural business development, particularly valuable in agricultural regions.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Business and Management. | #2 | $86,646★ | $37,103 | 262 |
| Food Science and Technology. | #5 | $66,226 | $27,165 | 77 |
| Plant Sciences. | #5 | $63,279 | — | 30 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | #19 | $55,382 | $28,171 | 76 |
| Animal Sciences. | #8 | $48,026 | $46,598 | 131 |
| Agricultural Public Services. | — | $38,289 | — | 36 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 70K on average, with 7 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Computer Science. | #2 | $155,503★ | — | 81 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | #5 | $67,782 | $39,899 | 166 |
| International/Globalization Studies. | #7 | $67,396 | $32,800 | 31 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | — | $67,147 | $45,420 | 78 |
| Sustainability Studies. | #3 | $63,604 | — | 58 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | #3 | $61,313 | $47,893 | 91 |
| Systems Science and Theory. | — | $57,510 | — | 57 |
| Area Studies.Small sample | #9 | $54,187 | — | 17 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | #16 | $50,941 | — | 24 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | #10 | $50,396 | $37,012 | 75 |
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.
