Bradley University
Bradley University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bradley University at a Glance
Bradley University is a private university in Peoria, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1897, Bradley University enrolls 5,200 students who are pursuing degrees in more than 100 undergraduate programs and more than 30 graduate programs in five colleges. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and 22 specialized and professional accreditors.
1897
129 years old
$394M
$394.25 million (2025)
5,217
3,883 undergrad · 1,334 grad
389
84 acres
Identity
Is Bradley University Worth It?
Bradley University offers moderate value at $22,719/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $66,852, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Bradley University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IL
Ranked #13 of 142 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 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #4 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #5 | Lewis University | 63 | $17,028 | $66,099 |
| #6 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #13 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bradley University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in IL.
Best Programs at Bradley University
The highest-earning program at Bradley University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $66,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $26,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Bradley University earns $66,400, while a Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduate earns $26,200. 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: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,719/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $66,400 | $66,400 | $27,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $65,100 | $65,100 | $24,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $64,700 | $64,700 | $27,000 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $64,500 | $64,500 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,000 | $61,000 | $27,000 |
| Computer Science | $60,700 | $60,700 | $26,434 |
| Civil Engineering | $60,400 | $60,400 | $26,991 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,200 | $56,200 | $26,899 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,000 | $48,000 | $26,955 |
| Marketing | $42,400 | $42,400 | $26,773 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $40,000 | $40,000 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,300 | $38,300 | $26,552 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $37,400 | $37,400 | $24,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,700 | $36,700 | $29,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,500 | $34,500 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,100 | $33,100 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,600 | $31,600 | $26,974 |
| Psychology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $27,000 |
| Graphic Communications | $29,800 | $29,800 | $27,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $28,600 | $28,600 | $24,250 |
| Social Work | $27,100 | $27,100 | $26,625 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $26,200 | $26,200 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Peoria, IL
- Student Body
- 3,574 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,719
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $66,852
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000