IWU Tops State of Illinois in Graduate Earning Analysis

Aug. 7, 2018

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — An Illinois Wesleyan University education pays dividends, as shown in a recent data analysis from Zippia which calculated “Small Colleges with the Highest Earning Graduates by State” and ranked IWU No. 1 in Illinois.

The list from Zippia, a career advice website, used public data from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard to calculate the average earnings of graduates from four-year institutions 10 years after entry into the workforce. IWU graduates earn $60,500 on average, which is more than $25,000 above the national median.

Other notable liberal arts institutions that joined Illinois Wesleyan atop their respective states included Amherst College, Bates College and Lafayette College. The frequent mentions of similar institutions speaks to the value of a holistic education in preparing students for success in today’s job market, according to Hart Career Center Director Warren Kistner ’83.

“It is one thing to look at immediate results, such as a student's first job, but quite another to see how your education allows you to advance in your career field,” Kistner said. “IWU students develop skills that serve them well as they seek employment upon graduation, pursue graduate or professional study, and ultimately advance in their chosen field. It is not surprising to me that our graduates are uniquely positioned to excel on their career paths and seize opportunities that come their way.”

As demonstrated by results from Zippia’s data analysis, the well-rounded experience gained from an Illinois Wesleyan education arms students with the flexibility to adapt in a constantly changing job market.

“The IWU educational experience is one that prepares students not just for their first job but for a career – a lifetime of jobs, many of which can’t even be anticipated at this time,” explained Provost and Dean of Faculty Mark Brodl.

In addition to leading the state in Zippia's graduate earning analysis, Illinois Wesleyan also ranks No. 1 in job placement among Illinois undergraduate institutions, according to Zippia.

“We intentionally build close academic relationships between students and faculty from the get-go," Brodl said. "These mentee-mentor relationships cultivate strong critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, effective communicators, talented collaborators, insightful consumers of information, and ethical and compassionate decision-makers. These are the qualities that make for successful careers."

 

By Rachel McCarthy ’21