Aurora University ★ Hidden gem
Aurora, Illinois · Private, nonprofit · 3,974 undergraduates
All 28 programs with reported earnings leave graduates out-earning a typical Illinois high-school graduate (about $36,082/yr). Another 43 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $14,525 |
| $30k to $48k | $14,089 |
| $48k to $75k | $15,431 |
| $75k to $110k | $19,300 |
| $110k and up | $24,595 |
| All families (average) | $18,838 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | Master's Degree | $61,710 | +$25,628 | clears the bar | $30,695 | 1.2 yrs |
| Social Work | Bachelor's Degree | $55,546 | +$19,464 | clears the bar | $21,579 | 1.1 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $64,446 | +$28,364 | clears the bar | $20,595 | 0.7 yrs |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's Degree | $84,022 | +$47,940 | clears the bar | $22,654 | 0.5 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's Degree | $81,740 | +$45,658 | clears the bar | $30,785 | 0.7 yrs |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's Degree | $60,808 | +$24,726 | clears the bar | $19,597 | 0.8 yrs |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's Degree | $46,609 | +$10,527 | clears the bar | $21,406 | 2 yrs |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's Degree | $83,746 | +$47,664 | clears the bar | $23,641 | 0.5 yrs |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $55,697 | +$19,615 | clears the bar | $18,585 | 0.9 yrs |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's Degree | $49,471 | +$13,389 | clears the bar | $23,000 | 1.7 yrs |
| Marketing | Bachelor's Degree | $64,813 | +$28,731 | clears the bar | $19,500 | 0.7 yrs |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | Bachelor's Degree | $52,987 | +$16,905 | clears the bar | $19,050 | 1.1 yrs |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Bachelor's Degree | $60,775 | +$24,693 | clears the bar | $23,313 | 0.9 yrs |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Doctoral Degree | $136,318 | +$100,236 | clears the bar | $50,408 | 0.5 yrs |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | Bachelor's Degree | $41,856 | +$5,774 | clears the bar | $20,000 | 3.5 yrs |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 28 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 45% of students receive Pell grants · 60% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.