Judson University
Judson University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Judson University at a Glance
Judson University is a private university in Elgin, Illinois, United States. It is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. Judson was formed out of the liberal arts component of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. When the seminary moved from Chicago to Lombard, Illinois, it was decided to make the college separate from the seminary. Originally known as Judson College, it was named after Adoniram Judson, the first American Baptist missionary to foreign shores. The university has ca…
1913
113 years old
1,058
793 undergrad · 265 grad
90 acres
Identity
Is Judson University Worth It?
Judson University offers moderate value at $18,558/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,313, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Judson University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 36 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 | William Jewell College | 54 | $17,562 | $59,268 |
| #2 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Judson University | 43 | $18,558 | $56,313 |
| #5 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #6 | Laboure College of Healthcare | 42 | $36,863 | $62,200 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Judson University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IL.
Best Programs at Judson University
The highest-earning program at Judson University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $50,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Services, General at $30,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Judson University earns $50,600, while a Human Services, General graduate earns $30,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,956 in median debt vs. $23,218 for Human Services, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,558/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 | $50,600 | $50,600 | $23,956 |
| Human Services, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $23,218 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Elgin, IL
- Student Body
- 708 students
- Admission Rate
- 48%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,558
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,313
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000