Economics bachelor's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 12 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1University of ChicagoChicago · $13,197 federal debt$159,5782Northwestern UniversityEvanston · $16,227 federal debt$126,0063DePaul UniversityChicago · $22,433 federal debt$100,1854University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign · $21,228 federal debt$86,8605Wheaton CollegeWheaton · $21,000 federal debt$84,8296North Central CollegeNaperville · $26,801 federal debt$80,4947Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnais · $27,000 federal debt$68,9358Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb · $25,879 federal debt$66,7609University of Illinois ChicagoChicago · $19,002 federal debt$63,42910Knox CollegeGalesburg · $25,000 federal debt$62,144
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
11-9199Managers, All Other
- State median wage
- $140,240
- Middle 50% wage range
- $107,690–$180,860
- State employment
- 31,680
- Projected growth
- +4.9%
- Annual openings
- 100,900
25-1063Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $124,850
- Middle 50% wage range
- $86,890–$166,630
- State employment
- 460
- Projected growth
- +2.4%
- Annual openings
- 1,000
19-4061Social Science Research Assistants
- State median wage
- $64,890
- Middle 50% wage range
- $47,720–$74,700
- State employment
- 250
- Projected growth
- +5.0%
- Annual openings
- 4,900
19-3022Survey Researchers
- State median wage
- $54,080
- Middle 50% wage range
- $54,080–$104,420
- State employment
- 320
- Projected growth
- -4.8%
- Annual openings
- 600
15-2041Statisticians
- State median wage
- $119,760
- Middle 50% wage range
- $95,490–$141,360
- State employment
- 480
- Projected growth
- +11.0%
- Annual openings
- 1,900
15-2051Data Scientists
- State median wage
- $106,560
- Middle 50% wage range
- $84,610–$137,290
- State employment
- 10,520
- Projected growth
- +34.6%
- Annual openings
- 24,800
25-2031Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- State median wage
- $79,990
- Middle 50% wage range
- $62,330–$104,670
- State employment
- 44,670
- Projected growth
- -0.2%
- Annual openings
- 63,500
13-1161Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- State median wage
- $79,120
- Middle 50% wage range
- $60,210–$104,800
- State employment
- 40,560
- Projected growth
- +7.0%
- Annual openings
- 82,000
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago | Chicago | $159,578 | $13,197 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | Evanston | $126,006 | $16,227 |
| 3 | DePaul University | Chicago | $100,185 | $22,433 |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | $86,860 | $21,228 |
| 5 | Wheaton College | Wheaton | $84,829 | $21,000 |
| 6 | North Central College | Naperville | $80,494 | $26,801 |
| 7 | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | $68,935 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb | $66,760 | $25,879 |
| 9 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | $63,429 | $19,002 |
| 10 | Knox College | Galesburg | $62,144 | $25,000 |
| 11 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | $60,612 | $25,049 |
| 12 | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | $58,252 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Economics in Illinois
What do Economics bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 12 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $68,935 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $22,433 among the 11 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. University of Chicago has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.