Illinois College
Illinois College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Illinois College at a Glance
Illinois College is a private liberal arts college in Jacksonville, Illinois. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA). It was the second college founded in Illinois but the first to grant a degree. It was founded in 1829 by the Yale Band, students from Yale College who traveled westward to found new colleges. It briefly served as the state's first medical school, from 1843 to 1848.
1829
197 years old
$133M
$133 million (2025)
942
80 acres
Identity
Is Illinois College Worth It?
Illinois College offers moderate value at $18,298/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $52,575, which is 2% 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 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Illinois College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 140 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #6 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #13 | Illinois College | 45 | $18,298 | $52,575 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Illinois College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IL.
Best Programs at Illinois College
The highest-earning program at Illinois College is Accounting and Related Services at $40,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $25,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Illinois College earns $40,900, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $25,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $22,312 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,298/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 | $40,900 | $40,900 | $22,312 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $30,900 | $30,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,200 | $25,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Jacksonville, IL
- Student Body
- 930 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,298
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,575
- Median Student Debt
- $25,565