Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Western Illinois University vary significantly by field of study, with earnings ranging from $30,771 in Fire Prevention and Safety Technology to $72,904 in Applied Engineering Technologies. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, national and state rankings, and enrollment size—providing outcome-focused analysis rather than reputation-based assessments.
Use this data to understand how different academic pathways perform in the labor market after graduation.
Analyzing 36 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights identify programs that excel across multiple dimensions including earnings, national rankings, and student enrollment.
#11 nationally
$57K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs by median earnings, national and state rankings, cohort size, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Western Illinois University.
Applied Engineering Technologies delivers the highest median earnings at $72,904 while ranking #13 nationally and #2 in Illinois. Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $62,291 with 39 students in the program.
These technology-focused programs provide pathways to high-earning careers in engineering and computer science fields, though with smaller enrollment numbers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | #11 | $72,904★ | — | 23 |
Program rankings reflect graduate earnings and debt outcomes measured by federal College Scorecard data, not institutional reputation or curriculum quality. Earnings represent median income for graduates 10 years after enrollment, based on tax records for students who received federal financial aid. National rankings compare programs against all similar majors at four-year institutions nationwide, while state rankings compare against programs within Illinois. Value scores incorporate both earnings and debt levels to assess overall program return on investment. Cohort sizes indicate program enrollment scale and data confidence levels. Rankings emphasize labor market outcomes to help students understand economic returns across different fields of study. Programs with small cohorts may show greater earnings variability, while larger programs provide more stable outcome predictions.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| Applied Engineering.Small sample | #19 | $64,990 | — | 10 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #178 | $62,291 | — | 39 |
Business programs span a range of outcomes, from Accounting Technology graduates earning $60,157 to Business Administration graduates earning $52,505. Digital Marketing and Executive Career Coaching programs offer specialized pathways with earnings in the $51,000-$54,000 range.
This group serves students pursuing diverse business career paths with varying earning potential based on specialization.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management, General.Small sample | #30 | $69,068★ | — | 19 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #193 | $60,157 | — | 45 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services.Small sample | #187 | $57,244 | — | 17 |
| Digital Marketing. | #151 | $54,456 | — | 29 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #270 | $52,505 | — | 80 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | #42 | $51,901 | — | 29 |
Adult Health Nursing graduates 26 students with strong median earnings of $67,859, though ranking #260 nationally and #10 in Illinois. This program provides direct workforce preparation for nursing careers with solid economic outcomes, serving students seeking healthcare professions with immediate job market relevance.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #261 | $67,859★ | — | 26 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator.Small sample | #76 | $41,807 | — | 19 |
Biology, General graduates 78 students annually with median earnings of $43,958, ranking #320 nationally and #14 in Illinois. The program represents a traditional pre-professional pathway with moderate earnings outcomes.
Students pursuing this path typically continue to graduate school or enter entry-level positions in biological sciences fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Chemistry. | #77 | $57,236★ | — | 23 |
| Biology, General. | #326 | $43,958 | $46,111 | 78 |
Forensic Social Work. leads social sciences & policy with 43K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Social Work. | #121 | $43,139★ | — | 39 |
| Psychology, General. | #288 | $39,411 | $17,200 | 77 |
| Applied/Public Sociology.Small sample | #231 | $39,362 | — | 15 |
| American Government and Politics (United States).Small sample | #310 | $33,161 | — | 18 |
Communication and Media Studies graduates 53 students with median earnings of $46,791 and ranks #132 nationally and #9 in Illinois. This program offers moderate earnings outcomes for students pursuing media, communications, and related career paths with reasonable national standing among similar programs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #139 | $46,791★ | — | 53 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | #57 | $37,801 | — | 28 |
| Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects.Small sample | — | $28,635 | — | 6 |
Brass Instruments graduates 38 students with median earnings of $42,061, ranking #32 nationally and #2 in Illinois with a strong value score of 78.2. This specialized music program demonstrates Western Illinois University's strength in performing arts education, serving students pursuing music performance and education careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States).Small sample | #204 | $43,493★ | — | 13 |
| General Studies. | #76 | $42,666 | $20,044 | 169 |
| Brass Instruments. | #38 | $42,061 | — | 38 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #104 | $40,303 | — | 21 |
| Applied Linguistics.Small sample | #66 | $37,155 | — | 15 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #256 | $35,944 | — | 22 |
| Acting.Small sample | — | $15,922 | — | 8 |
Adult and Continuing Education graduates 51 students with median earnings of $39,057, ranking #180 nationally and #12 in Illinois. This program serves students pursuing educational careers with modest but stable earnings typical of the education sector, providing preparation for teaching and educational administration roles.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education.Small sample | #127 | $46,131★ | — | 11 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed.Small sample | #74 | $44,173 | — | 12 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #194 | $39,057 | — | 51 |
Agriculture, General ranks #6 nationally and #2 in Illinois, graduating 94 students with median earnings of $49,139 and a strong value score of 80.8. This program demonstrates Western Illinois University's strength in agricultural education, offering students pathways into farming, agribusiness, and related fields with solid economic outcomes and national recognition.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, General. | #8 | $49,139 | — | 94 |
This group represents Western Illinois University's flagship strength, with Corrections Administration ranking #5 nationally and graduating 291 students annually with median earnings of $57,113. Fire Prevention and Safety Technology enrolls 40 students with more modest earnings of $30,771.
Programs in this cluster serve students seeking public safety and corrections careers, with the corrections program demonstrating exceptional value and national recognition.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #6 | $57,113★ | $25,394 | 291 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other.Small sample | — | $39,369 | — | 7 |
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician. | #11 | $30,771 | — | 40 |
Programs include General Studies with 169 graduates earning $42,666, Exercise Science with 35 graduates earning $52,779, and Golf Course Management with 48 graduates earning $38,437. These diverse programs serve different career pathways from fitness and recreation to continuing education, with varied outcomes reflecting different professional destinations.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #76 | $52,779★ | — | 35 |
| Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management. | #20 | $38,437 | — | 48 |
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.
