Benedictine University
Benedictine University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Benedictine University at a Glance
Benedictine University is a private Catholic university with campuses in Lisle, Illinois, and Mesa, Arizona, United States. It was founded in 1887 by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey in the Pilsen community on the West Side of Chicago. The institution has retained a close relationship with the Benedictine Order, which bears the name of St. Benedict, the acknowledged father of western monasticism.
1887
139 years old
2,917
1,972 undergrad · 945 grad
108 acres
Identity
Is Benedictine University Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, Benedictine University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,446 — 18% above average — while paying $22,313/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Benedictine University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Benedictine University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IL
Ranked #61 of 134 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #61 | Benedictine University | 36 | $22,313 | $63,446 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Benedictine University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in IL.
Best Programs at Benedictine University
The highest-earning program at Benedictine University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $69,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $22,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Benedictine University earns $69,600, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $22,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $13,576 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,313/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,600 | $69,600 | $13,576 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $62,000 | $62,000 | $29,688 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $56,900 | $56,900 | $26,594 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,300 | $43,300 | $25,620 |
| Psychology, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $26,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $23,900 | $23,900 | $21,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $22,600 | $22,600 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lisle, IL
- Student Body
- 1,942 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,313
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,446
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500