Elmhurst, IL · Private University
Is Elmhurst University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$61,462
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$41,628
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$41,628
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$166,512
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.48x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
65.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,489
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,063
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Elmhurst University graduates earn $16,462 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 Elmhurst University ranked by graduate earnings
54 graduates
89 graduates
37 graduates
22 graduates
49 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Elmhurst University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Elmhurst University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $78,675) and the lowest (Music: $32,032) is $46,643/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $78,675 | 1.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $75,182 | 1.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $74,897 | 1.8x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $72,910 | 1.8x |
| Marketing | $68,938 | 1.7x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $66,495 | 1.6x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $65,456 | 1.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $63,256 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $51,697 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,554 | 1.2x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $49,481 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $48,321 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,883 | 1.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $46,756 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $44,979 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $41,268 | 1.0x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $39,691 | 0.9x |
| MusicLowest | $32,032 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Elmhurst University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $61,462 10 years after starting, $16,462 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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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.