Judson University
Elgin, Illinois · Private Nonprofit · 47.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 58/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Judson University, a small Christian liberal arts college in Elgin, Illinois (a Chicago northwest suburb), scores 58 on overall ROI (Below Average Value tier). Tuition is $31,360, but Judson discounts heavily: average net price is $18,558 (~$74,232 over four years). Average earnings six years out are $38,000, climbing to a median $56,313 by year ten. The 10.1-year payback period is just over the standard benchmark, and the 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio is workable. Median debt is $25,000. Completion is 60%. The 79% three-year repayment rate is solid. Judson's identity is Evangelical Christian higher education with a respected architecture program (rare for a college this size) and competent business and education tracks. The 0.29 earnings premium is real.
Judson University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $31,360/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $31,360/yr |
| Average net price | $18,558/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $74,232 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,313 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 59.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 708 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $31,360/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $18,558/year, or roughly $74,232 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $15,701/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,515/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $25,000, which works out to about $265 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($38,000) and comes to 0.66, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,701 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,010 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,079 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,124 |
| $110,001+ | $21,515 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $15,701 net - the cheapest tier. With Pell, MAP grant, and Judson institutional aid, four-year cost runs about $63,000.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $18,010 (slightly above the next bracket - a small inversion). The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $17,079 and $75,001-$110,000 pays $21,124. Across the middle range, four-year cost is roughly $68,000-$84,000. Workable for middle-income families committed to the Christian-college fit, especially those targeting Architecture.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,001 pay $21,515 - effectively full-pay at roughly $86,000 over four years. For higher-income families, this remains in the affordable range for a private Christian college. Judson's Architecture program in particular is a defensible pick at this price.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Judson University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,153 | C |
| Architecture | $63,846 | C |
| Psychology | $46,816 | D |
| Human Services, General | $38,639 | D |
| Teacher Education | $45,830 | - |
| Design and Applied Arts | $37,466 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is Judson's largest program at 50 graduates with $45,731 first-year and $63,153 four-year median earnings against $27,000 median debt (0.59 debt-to-earnings) - a C ROI grade. Workable value at Judson's net price.
Architecture
Architecture is Judson's signature program: 24 graduates per cohort produce $41,033 first-year and $63,846 four-year median earnings against $26,221 median debt (0.64 debt-to-earnings) - a C ROI grade. The B.Arch credential at this institutional scale is unusual and feeds Chicago architecture firms, sustainable design practices, and graduate M.Arch tracks. Long-term mid-career architect earnings climb meaningfully beyond what the early-career data shows.
Psychology
Psychology earns D ROI: $34,964 first-year and $46,816 four-year median earnings against $25,000 median debt produce a 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio. 19 graduates per cohort. As with many psychology bachelor's programs, real ROI requires graduate study; the bachelor's-only path at Judson's price is one of the weaker financial bets on campus.
Human Services, General
Human Services posts a D ROI: $37,671 first-year and $38,639 four-year median earnings against $34,455 median debt (the highest debt figure on Judson's profile) produce a 0.92 debt-to-earnings ratio. 9 graduates per cohort. The flat earnings curve indicates no meaningful mid-career progression in Human Services-bachelor-only roles, and the heavy debt makes this one of the harder financial bets on campus.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 71.8% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 78.7% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.4% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 71.7% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Judson University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 47.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 393-568 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 423-550 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 16-24 |
| Enrollment | 708 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,024 |
Judson admits 48% of applicants - moderately selective. The 60% completion rate is consistent with the moderate selectivity.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judson University (this school) | 58 | $18,558 | $56,313 |
| Cedarville University | 61 | $24,468 | $55,443 |
| Goshen College | 60 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| Pacific Union College | 57 | $41,008 | $70,484 |
| Andrews University | 56 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| Bryan College-Dayton | 54 | $20,614 | $54,434 |
Who Thrives Here
With 708 students and a 39% Pell rate, Judson serves a moderately middle-income, predominantly Evangelical Christian student population from the Chicago metro and broader Midwest. The fit profile: students drawn to Christian-college community, who value Judson's well-regarded undergraduate Architecture program (one of few accredited B.Arch tracks at this institution scale), or who want a small business/education program close to Chicago. Architecture (24 graduates), Business Administration (50), and Psychology (19) are the largest reported programs.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Judson University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $18,558 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $56,313 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 10.1 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $25,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $38,000 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Judson University: Common Questions
Is Judson University worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Judson University scores 58/100 on our ROI scale. At $18,558 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $56,313 ten years after entry, so it takes about 10.1 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Judson University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $18,558 a year, or roughly $74,232 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Judson University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $56,313 ten years after enrolling, roughly $14,513 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Judson University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 10.1 years for Judson University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Judson University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $25,000, against average earnings of $38,000 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Judson University?
The six-year graduation rate is 59.9%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.