All Illinois State University majors by area
- Social Sciences & Public Service · 12
- Business & Finance · 10
- Science & Math · 9
- Health & Medicine · 8
- Humanities & Languages · 7
- Arts & Design · 5
- Technology & Computing · 5
- Communications & Media · 4
- Education · 3
- Engineering · 3
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems | $52,887 | $95,120 | $16,250 |
| Insurance | $51,499 | $94,124 | $19,500 |
| Construction Management | $70,672 | $91,017 | $21,500 |
| Finance | $54,958 | $85,326 | $20,500 |
| Accounting | $62,940 | $84,458 | $22,482 |
| Marketing | $51,687 | $77,956 | $20,500 |
| International Business | $52,491 | $71,058 | $19,059 |
| Management Science / Analytics | $47,553 | $70,671 | $23,250 |
| Business Administration | $50,647 | $66,660 | $17,500 |
| Economics | $44,015 | — | $25,000 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | — | $81,949 | — |
| Mathematics | $52,597 | $75,318 | $20,309 |
| Cell / Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $34,154 | $65,669 | $22,500 |
| Biology | $36,337 | $63,725 | $24,672 |
| Agriculture | $47,295 | $63,600 | $18,750 |
| Chemistry | — | $62,220 | $24,875 |
| Geology / Earth Science | — | $53,272 | — |
| Biochemistry | — | — | — |
| Environmental Science / Conservation | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health | $59,207 | $84,790 | $22,250 |
| Nursing | $72,709 | $81,264 | $23,075 |
| Medical Laboratory Science | $65,629 | $73,220 | $25,470 |
| Health Administration | $48,886 | $71,707 | $21,500 |
| Speech-Language Pathology / Communication Disorders | — | $62,510 | $20,500 |
| Kinesiology / Exercise Science | $30,051 | $62,112 | $21,250 |
| Dietetics | $38,444 | $54,604 | $18,892 |
| Allied Health (Imaging / Therapy / Tech) | — | $52,417 | $25,000 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| History | $40,465 | $52,757 | $23,125 |
| Liberal Arts / General Studies | $31,745 | $50,744 | $23,621 |
| English | $39,563 | $47,445 | $23,125 |
| Spanish / French / Romance Languages | $49,448 | $45,994 | $22,375 |
| Area Studies | — | — | — |
| German | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design | $39,287 | $61,628 | $24,986 |
| Music | $32,853 | $54,767 | $20,500 |
| Studio Art | $35,967 | $51,386 | $20,125 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | $24,384 | $49,774 | $22,000 |
| Theatre | $28,958 | $40,258 | $24,246 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $81,363 | $111,099 | $22,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $65,127 | $98,382 | $22,250 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $66,801 | $90,953 | — |
| Information Technology | — | — | — |
| Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Advertising | $43,874 | $67,752 | $22,500 |
| Communications | $38,125 | $60,414 | $20,125 |
| Graphic Communications | — | $55,723 | — |
| Journalism | $36,643 | $55,641 | $23,500 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Subject Teaching) | $44,613 | $54,452 | $24,149 |
| Special Education | $48,358 | $52,864 | $20,436 |
| Education (Elementary / Secondary) | $44,898 | $49,240 | $22,500 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologies / Technicians | $55,532 | $80,530 | $19,500 |
| Energy Systems Technologies / Technicians | $46,992 | $76,731 | $17,750 |
| Industrial Production Technologies / Technicians | $51,839 | $76,121 | $23,000 |
College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.
From major to career
Education (Elementary / Secondary) → Elementary school teacher
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to shrink 0.4% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Marketing → Marketing specialist
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 7.0% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Across all majors, former Illinois State University students earn a median $62,117 ten years after starting college, more than 64% of Illinois colleges we cover. 65% graduate within six years.
Illinois State University majors questions
How many majors does Illinois State University offer?
Illinois State University offers 66 bachelor's majors across 10 areas; the most majors are in Social Sciences & Public Service and Business & Finance.
What is the highest-paying major at Illinois State University?
Computer Science graduates from Illinois State University earn a median $111,099 four years after graduating, the highest of the 58 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $22,500.
Which Illinois State University majors earn the least?
Among majors with reported earnings, Theatre graduates earn the least: a median $40,258 four years after graduating.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to Illinois State University overview