Judson University
#8 Best Business Colleges in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,313 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,558 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 48% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.0 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Business Colleges in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $20.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,408,203.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 38% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Judson University Matters
Judson University is a private university in Elgin, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 708
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 54
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts, Education
Why students choose Judson University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 48% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 816–1118. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,558 a year after grants and scholarships — 8% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,313 ten years after enrolling — 38% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 62% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.78 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Judson University has an acceptance rate of 48%, making it a selective option for students looking to join a close-knit community. With an enrollment of 708 students, the university fosters a personal learning environment. This setting can enhance engagement and support, crucial for academic success.
According to Opportunity Insights data, the economic mobility outcomes for Judson graduates are not available. However, the earnings data shows that graduates can expect to earn around $56,313 a decade after graduation. This figure reflects the potential return on investment for students entering various fields, particularly in business, psychology, and education.
The net price of attendance at Judson University is $18,558, and the median student debt upon graduation is $25,000. Approximately 39% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to supporting low-income students. With a graduation rate of 56%, those who thrive here tend to be motivated and seek personalized support in their academic journey.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Judson University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Judson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Judson University, located in Elgin, Illinois, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 48%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,039. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 48%
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- SAT Average
- 1039
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 816–1118
- ACT Range
- 16–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 28%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,024
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.72
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 1,153
- Admitted
- 671
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Judson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Judson University is $31,360, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,558. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,701 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $31,360
- Out-of-State
- $31,360
- Avg Net Price
- $18,558
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 55%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,701
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,010
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,079
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,515
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Judson University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Judson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Judson University earn a median of $56,313, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,374
- 8 Years
- $51,553
- 10 Years
- $56,313
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (102)
- 53%
- 100% (102)
- 53%
- 100% (102)
- 53%
- 100% (102)
- 53%
How Judson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Judson University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Judson University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,558/year ($74,232 total). Graduates earn $56,313 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,482,435 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,408,203 (20.0× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $74,232
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,482,435
- Net Return
- $1,408,203
- ROI Multiple
- 20.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,558
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Judson University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Judson University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.25%, well above the typical college. About 6.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.25%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $112,768
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $6,962,603
- Federal Grants
- $5,448,130
- Investment Income
- $-377,686
Top Programs
The fields Judson University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 37% $62,657 early-career
- Psychology 13% $30,914 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Education 5% $43,091 early-career
- Humanities 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Computer Science & IT 1%
- Communications 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Judson University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Judson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Judson University, located in Elgin, Illinois, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 48%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,039. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Judson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Judson University is $31,360, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,558. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,701 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Judson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Judson University earn a median of $56,313, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Judson University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Judson University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.25%, well above the typical college. About 6.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Judson University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Judson University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Judson University.
- College of Saint MaryOmaha, NE · Close peer60% grad $54,338 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health ScienceCincinnati, OH · Close peer64% grad $66,111 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Centenary College of LouisianaShreveport, LA · Close peer58% grad $50,330 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord, NC · Close peer62% grad $58,708 earn 23% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- The Christ College of Nursing and Health SciencesCincinnati, OH · Close peer58% grad $68,303 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- Mount Marty UniversityYankton, SD · Close peer56% grad $48,179 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Judson University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Judson University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note