Eureka College
Eureka College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eureka College at a Glance
Eureka College is a private college in Eureka, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1855, it is related by covenant to the Christian Church. The college enrolled approximately 559 students in 2023.
1855
171 years old
$16M
$16.2 million
559
112 acres
Identity
Is Eureka College Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Eureka College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,641 — 4% below average — while paying $17,349/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Eureka College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Eureka College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #29 of 80 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #3 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #6 | Cedar Crest College | 47 | $18,659 | $59,460 |
| #29 | Eureka College | 31 | $17,349 | $51,641 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Eureka College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IL.
Best Programs at Eureka College
The highest-earning program at Eureka College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $33,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $30,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Eureka College earns $33,100, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $30,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $20,080 in median debt vs. $23,500 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,349/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,100 | $33,100 | $20,080 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,000 | $30,000 | $23,500 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Eureka, IL
- Student Body
- 522 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,349
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,641
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250