Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eastern Illinois University at a Glance
Eastern Illinois University is a comprehensive public university in Charleston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1895, EIU offers a broad range of curricula leading to bachelor's and master's degrees within its four Colleges.
1895
131 years old
$140M
$139.9 million (2025)
8,107
6,731 undergrad · 1,376 grad
320 acres
Identity
Is Eastern Illinois University Worth It?
Eastern Illinois University offers moderate value at $12,786/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $51,989, which is 3% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% 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.
How Eastern Illinois University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #34 of 115 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #5 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #6 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #34 | Eastern Illinois University | 47 | $12,786 | $51,989 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Eastern Illinois University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IL.
Best Programs at Eastern Illinois University
The highest-earning program at Eastern Illinois University is Accounting and Related Services at $51,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $24,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Eastern Illinois University earns $51,300, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $24,300. 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: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $21,045 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,786/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $51,300 | $51,300 | $21,045 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $48,800 | $48,800 | $21,993 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,300 | $43,300 | $21,045 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $41,400 | $41,400 | $17,397 |
| Marketing | $38,400 | $38,400 | $22,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,200 | $38,200 | $26,251 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $37,300 | $37,300 | $23,750 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $35,300 | $35,300 | $23,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,900 | $33,900 | $27,875 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,000 | $33,000 | $25,512 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,600 | $30,600 | $21,641 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,500 | $30,500 | $24,012 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,000 | $30,000 | $26,858 |
| Sociology | $28,100 | $28,100 | $24,000 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $20,928 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $22,000 |
| Psychology, General | $24,400 | $24,400 | $23,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,300 | $24,300 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Charleston, IL
- Student Body
- 4,188 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,786
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,989
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500