McKendree University
#4 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 57% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,572 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $24,717 D
- 44% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.6 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $14.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,341,105.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 44% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why McKendree University Matters
McKendree University is a private university in Lebanon, 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
- 1,752
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Social Sciences
Why students choose McKendree 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
Competitive — admits about 72% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,717 a year after grants and scholarships — 44% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,572 ten years after enrolling — 44% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 97% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.57 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
McKendree University has an enrollment of 1,752 students, creating a close-knit community where individual attention is prioritized. With a 72% acceptance rate, it welcomes a diverse range of students, making it accessible for many. The graduation rate stands at 57%, indicating that while many students find their path, there is room for improvement in supporting persistence to degree completion.
Data from Opportunity Insights highlights that graduates from McKendree earn a median income of $58,572 ten years after starting their careers. This suggests that students can expect a reasonable return on their investment in education. However, the lack of specific mobility and success rate metrics leaves some uncertainty about how effectively the university enhances economic mobility for its students.
The net price for attending McKendree is $24,717, which can be manageable for many, especially with a Pell Grant rate of 34%. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,250, a figure that is relatively low compared to national averages. Students who thrive here tend to be those pursuing degrees in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Social Sciences, Education, or Psychology, fields that align well with the local job market.
Rankings
- #4 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois
- #4 Best Online Business Programs in Illinois
- #4 Best Online Nursing Programs in Illinois
- #4 Best Online Education Programs in Illinois
- #15 Best Business Colleges in Illinois
- #17 Best Education Colleges in Illinois
- #18 Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois
- #18 Best MBA Programs in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective McKendree 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 McKendree University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
McKendree University, located in Lebanon, Illinois, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,069
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 2,332
- Admitted
- 1,594
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 McKendree University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at McKendree University is $34,740, 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 $24,717. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,928 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,740
- Out-of-State
- $34,740
- Avg Net Price
- $24,717
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $21,928
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,432
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,041
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,066
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 McKendree 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 McKendree University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of McKendree University earn a median of $58,572, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,439
- 8 Years
- $53,183
- 10 Years
- $58,572
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (184)
- 45%
- 100% (184)
- 45%
- 100% (184)
- 45%
- 100% (184)
- 45%
How McKendree 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 McKendree University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, McKendree University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,717/year ($98,868 total). Graduates earn $58,572 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,439,973 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,341,105 (14.6× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 57% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $98,868
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,439,973
- Net Return
- $1,341,105
- ROI Multiple
- 14.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,717
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
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 McKendree University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
McKendree University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.49%, a more modest figure. About 5.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.49%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $108,556
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,259,805
- Investment Income
- $-5,288,259
Top Programs
The fields McKendree 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 28% $52,040 early-career
- Health Professions 18% $79,197 early-career
- Education 15% $42,726 early-career
- Social Sciences 8% $38,275 early-career
- Psychology 6% $32,231 early-career
- Communications 3%
- Biology & Biomedical 2% $45,495 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 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 McKendree 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 McKendree University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
McKendree University, located in Lebanon, Illinois, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend McKendree University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at McKendree University is $34,740, 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 $24,717. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,928 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is McKendree University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of McKendree University earn a median of $58,572, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does McKendree University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
McKendree University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.49%, a more modest figure. About 5.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is McKendree 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 McKendree University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to McKendree University.
- Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport, IA · Close peer62% grad $59,531 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Adrian CollegeAdrian, MI · Close peer52% grad $55,504 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer73% grad $56,458 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Walsh UniversityNorth Canton, OH · Close peer60% grad $59,764 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augustana UniversitySioux Falls, SD · Close peer74% grad $59,217 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Concordia University-IrvineIrvine, CA · Close peer60% grad $65,083 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is McKendree 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 McKendree University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note