Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Western Illinois University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their early careers. Median earnings begin at $43,057 six years after enrollment, rise to $48,456 at eight years, and reach $54,163 at ten years, representing 25.8% growth from the six-year to ten-year period.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings align with peer institutions — outcomes are in line with similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $25,251 in debt with typical earnings.
Western Illinois University graduates carry a median debt of $25,251, which exceeds the peer median of $21,105 by $4,146. Debt levels vary significantly among graduates, ranging from $8,785 at the 25th percentile to $28,500 at the 75th percentile.
Western Illinois University delivers above-average return on educational investment, ranking at the 69th percentile nationally. Graduates earn $11,979 beyond expectations compared to similar students, placing the institution at the 88th percentile for value-added performance.
Approximately 21.2% of Western Illinois University graduates continue to graduate or professional school within six years of completing their bachelor...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Western Illinois University's highest-earning programs demonstrate strong market positioning across diverse fields. Applied Engineering Technologies leads with $72,904 median earnings while ranking #13 nationally, followed by Adult Health Nursing at $67,859 and Artificial Intelligence at $62,291.
The flagship Corrections Administration program, graduating 291 students annually, produces median earnings of $57,113 while achieving #5 national ranking and exceptional value scores. Business programs range from Accounting Technology at $60,157 to Business Administration at $52,505, providing diverse pathways within the field.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
The earnings distribution from $37,122 at the 25th percentile to $76,551 at the 75th percentile creates a 2.1:1 ratio, indicating substantial variation in post-graduation outcomes based on program choice and career path. Low-income graduates earn $42,600, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
