Millikin University
- Graduation Rate
- 57% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,262 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $21,989 D+
- 28% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 67% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $14.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,179,335.
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 26% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Millikin University Matters
Millikin University is a private college in Decatur, 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 College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,382
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions
Why students choose Millikin 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 67% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 860–1130. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,989 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,262 ten years after enrolling — 26% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 70% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.63 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Millikin University has an enrollment of 1,382 students. With a 67% acceptance rate, it offers a welcoming environment for many aspiring students. The school emphasizes a hands-on approach to learning, particularly in its top programs like Visual & Performing Arts and Health Professions.
In terms of outcomes, Millikin students see a 10-year median earnings of $51,262. While specific mobility data is not provided, the earnings suggest that graduates have solid opportunities in their fields. The school has a Pell Grant rate of 38%, indicating that a significant portion of the student body comes from low-income backgrounds, which can impact overall mobility.
The net price of attendance is $21,989, with a median debt of $27,000. Graduates can expect a reasonable return on investment, particularly in fields such as Business and Education. Students who thrive here often have a passion for experiential learning and are engaged in campus life, making the most of the community-oriented environment.
Rankings
- #11 Best Education Colleges in Illinois
- #30 Best Business Colleges in Illinois
- #32 Best Biology Colleges in Illinois
- #32 Best Online Education Programs in Illinois
- #35 Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
- #35 Best Master's Programs in Illinois
- #36 Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois
- #41 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Millikin 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 Millikin University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Decatur, Illinois, Millikin University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,034. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- SAT Average
- 1034
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 860–1130
- ACT Range
- 18–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 71%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,557
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.52
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 2,902
- Admitted
- 2,188
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 Millikin University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Millikin University is $26,892, 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 $21,989. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,659 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $26,892
- Out-of-State
- $26,892
- Avg Net Price
- $21,989
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 56%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,659
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,629
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,053
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,524
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Millikin University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Millikin University earn a median of $51,262, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,100
- 8 Years
- $49,711
- 10 Years
- $51,262
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.53x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (210)
- 44%
- 100% (210)
- 44%
- 100% (210)
- 44%
- 100% (210)
- 44%
How Millikin 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 Millikin University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Millikin University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,989/year ($87,956 total). Graduates earn $51,262 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,267,291 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,179,335 (14.4× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, 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)
- $87,956
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,267,291
- Net Return
- $1,179,335
- ROI Multiple
- 14.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,989
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- 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 Millikin University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Millikin 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 1.10%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $96,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.10%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 25.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $96,500
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,185,843
- Investment Income
- $7,372,325
Top Programs
The fields Millikin University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Visual & Performing Arts 23%
- Business & Marketing 18%
- Education 15%
- Health Professions 11%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Communications 3%
- Physical Sciences 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Millikin 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
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Millikin University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Decatur, Illinois, Millikin University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,034. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Millikin University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Millikin University is $26,892, 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 $21,989. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,659 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Millikin University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Millikin University earn a median of $51,262, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Millikin University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Millikin 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 1.10%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $96,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Millikin 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 Millikin University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Millikin University.
- Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR · Close peer66% grad $51,673 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar, MO · Close peer53% grad $43,112 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Capital UniversityColumbus, OH · Close peer63% grad $54,143 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Meredith CollegeRaleigh, NC · Close peer68% grad $51,539 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati, OH · Close peer56% grad $51,509 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · Close peer46% grad $50,074 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Millikin 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 Millikin University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note