Bloomington, IL · Private University
Is Illinois Wesleyan University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$70,871
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$55,704
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$55,704
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$222,816
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.27x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
82.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,550
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Illinois Wesleyan University graduates earn $25,871 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 Wesleyan University ranked by graduate earnings
52 graduates
20 graduates
66 graduates
39 graduates
17 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Illinois Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $85,000) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $29,164) is $55,836/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $85,000 | 1.5x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $77,596 | 1.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $74,921 | 1.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,148 | 1.2x |
| Marketing(1yr data) | $56,684 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $46,467 | 0.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods(1yr data) | $44,923 | 0.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $43,737 | 0.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $29,164 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Illinois Wesleyan University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $70,871 10 years after starting — $25,871 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.2 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.