Roosevelt University
- Graduation Rate
- 38% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,712 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,194 C-
- 18% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.0 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $14.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,049,289.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 38% — 33% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.18% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Roosevelt University Matters
Roosevelt University is a private doctoral / professional university in Chicago, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. 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 Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 2,849
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Health Professions, Education
Why students choose Roosevelt 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
Accessible — admits about 97% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 895–1175. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,194 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,712 ten years after enrolling — 19% above the typical college, against $22,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 9% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Nearly 3,000 students choose Roosevelt University for its accessible acceptance rate of 97%. This means that nearly all applicants have the opportunity to enroll and pursue their educational goals in the heart of Chicago.
The 10-year earnings for graduates average $48,712, which suggests a moderate return on investment for a degree from this institution. The Pell Grant rate is 51%, indicating that over half of the students here rely on federal aid, often reflecting a diverse student body with varying economic backgrounds. However, with a graduation rate of just 38%, students may want to consider the support systems in place to help them complete their degrees.
The net price to attend Roosevelt University stands at $20,194, while the median debt for graduates is $22,000. Students who thrive here typically come from various economic backgrounds and are looking for programs in business, health, education, or the arts. Understanding the financial commitment and potential earnings can help students make informed decisions about their future at Roosevelt.
Rankings
- #15 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois
- #21 Best Education Colleges in Illinois
- #25 Best Biology Colleges in Illinois
- #26 Best Business Colleges in Illinois
- #27 Best Computer Science Colleges in Illinois
- #27 Best Psychology Colleges in Illinois
- #27 Best Data Science Colleges in Illinois
- #31 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Roosevelt University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,011. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 62%
- SAT Average
- 1011
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 895–1175
- ACT Range
- 18–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 31%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,563
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.75
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 2,997
- Admitted
- 2,647
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 Roosevelt University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Roosevelt University is $21,315, 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 $20,194. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,018 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $21,315
- Out-of-State
- $21,315
- Avg Net Price
- $20,194
- Median Debt
- $22,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 51%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 54%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,018
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,280
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,266
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,157
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 Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Roosevelt University earn a median of $48,712, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,896
- 8 Years
- $47,124
- 10 Years
- $48,712
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (351)
- 40%
- 100% (351)
- 40%
- 100% (351)
- 40%
- 100% (351)
- 40%
How Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Roosevelt University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,194/year ($80,776 total). Graduates earn $48,712 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,130,065 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,049,289 (14.0× your investment). The median debt is $22,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 38% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $80,776
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,130,065
- Net Return
- $1,049,289
- ROI Multiple
- 14.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,194
- Median Debt
- $22,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
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 Roosevelt University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Roosevelt 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 3.18%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $73,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.18%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $99,861
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-23,040,000
Top Programs
The fields Roosevelt 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 21% $64,793 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 18% $30,449 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $68,535 early-career
- Education 13% $44,760 early-career
- Psychology 9% $36,304 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $35,271 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $45,495 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $53,383 early-career
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 Roosevelt 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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Roosevelt University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Roosevelt University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,011. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Roosevelt University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Roosevelt University is $21,315, 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 $20,194. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,018 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,000 in federal student loans.
Is Roosevelt University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Roosevelt University earn a median of $48,712, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Roosevelt University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Roosevelt 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 3.18%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $73,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Roosevelt University.
- SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton, NY · Close peer41% grad $47,860 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston, SC · Close peer48% grad $45,898 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD · Close peer35% grad $47,697 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Oregon UniversityLa Grande, OR · Close peer40% grad $50,112 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Oregon UniversityAshland, OR · Close peer43% grad $49,175 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, SD · Close peer40% grad $46,674 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note