Normal, IL · Private University
Is Illinois State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,117
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$16,021
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,086
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$112,344
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.21x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
66.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,482
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,996
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Illinois State University graduates earn $17,117 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 Illinois State University ranked by graduate earnings
70 graduates
69 graduates
34 graduates
60 graduates
60 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Illinois State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Illinois State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Construction Management: $89,484) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $32,135) is $57,349/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Construction ManagementBest ROI | $89,484 | 3.2x |
| Computer Science | $89,443 | 3.2x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $79,687 | 2.8x |
| Public Health | $76,175 | 2.7x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $75,982 | 2.7x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,770 | 2.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,761 | 2.6x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $72,584 | 2.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,270 | 2.6x |
| Insurance | $72,258 | 2.6x |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $71,772 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,538 | 2.3x |
| Marketing | $63,704 | 2.3x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $62,470 | 2.2x |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $61,686 | 2.2x |
| International Business | $60,942 | 2.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $58,378 | 2.1x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $57,984 | 2.1x |
| Economics | $56,964 | 2.0x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $56,840 | 2.0x |
| Mathematics | $56,681 | 2.0x |
| Engineering Technology, General(1yr data) | $55,532 | 2.0x |
| Agriculture, General | $54,069 | 1.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,043 | 1.9x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $53,696 | 1.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $51,900 | 1.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,576 | 1.8x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $49,411 | 1.8x |
| Psychology, General | $49,195 | 1.8x |
| Biology, General | $48,863 | 1.7x |
| Sociology | $48,082 | 1.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,981 | 1.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $46,915 | 1.7x |
| Journalism | $45,989 | 1.6x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $45,159 | 1.6x |
| History | $44,568 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $44,486 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,069 | 1.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,761 | 1.6x |
| Anthropology | $43,391 | 1.5x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $42,181 | 1.5x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $39,287 | 1.4x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $39,169 | 1.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $38,684 | 1.4x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services(1yr data) | $38,444 | 1.4x |
| Music | $37,981 | 1.4x |
| Apparel and Textiles(1yr data) | $37,111 | 1.3x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | $35,909 | 1.3x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $34,952 | 1.2x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences(1yr data) | $34,154 | 1.2x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services(1yr data) | $33,682 | 1.2x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $32,135 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Illinois State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,117 10 years after starting, $17,117 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.1 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.