Charleston, IL · Private University
Is Eastern Illinois University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$51,989
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,403
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,879
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$63,516
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.27x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
45.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,093
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Eastern Illinois University graduates earn $6,989 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Eastern Illinois University ranked by graduate earnings
24 graduates
40 graduates
25 graduates
45 graduates
18 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Eastern Illinois University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Eastern Illinois University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $70,590) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $33,157) is $37,433/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $70,590 | 4.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $70,108 | 4.4x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $66,937 | 4.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $61,716 | 3.9x |
| Biology, General | $54,609 | 3.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,266 | 3.4x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $53,724 | 3.4x |
| Marketing | $52,427 | 3.3x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $50,952 | 3.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $50,470 | 3.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,603 | 3.1x |
| Music | $47,898 | 3.0x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $46,407 | 2.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,325 | 2.8x |
| Sociology | $43,925 | 2.8x |
| Psychology, General | $43,847 | 2.8x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $41,887 | 2.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,406 | 2.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections(1yr data) | $40,489 | 2.5x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $39,560 | 2.5x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $38,369 | 2.4x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $38,234 | 2.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,086 | 2.4x |
| History | $37,794 | 2.4x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest | $33,157 | 2.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Eastern Illinois University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $51,989 10 years after starting, $6,989 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.7 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.