Which Illinois institution offers the highest coach salary in 2024?

Joseph J. Foy, Ph.D. President
Joseph J. Foy, Ph.D. President | Benedictine University website
By L. V. Eastman

Among Illinois post-secondary institutions in 2024, Benedictine University ranked 28th in average coaching salary, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

At that time, Benedictine University provided its coaches with an average salary of $40,220, with the top coaching salary reaching $45,605.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign led the state in 2024 by offering the highest average coaching salary of $1 million.

In 2024, the average salary for post-secondary coaches in Illinois was $67,840, marking a 0.8% rise from the previous year's average of $67,280.

A Knight Commission report projects that within a decade, some Power 5 football coaches will earn more than their schools spend on scholarships and medical care for all athletes. The study estimates more than $1 billion in new annual revenue from the expanded College Football Playoff and media rights deals. By 2032, nearly half of public Power 5 schools could reach this 'crossover point.'

Incomplete data provided by post-secondary institutions can sometimes skew salary data.

Top 10 Highest-Paying Institutions for Coaches in Illinois in 2024

InstitutionAnnual Salary
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign$1 million
Northwestern University$597,585
DePaul University$271,647
Loyola University Chicago$192,511
Northern Illinois University$163,602
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale$153,236
Illinois State University$151,175
Bradley University$151,032
The University of Illinois Chicago$116,410
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville$91,180

Information in this story was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education. The source data can be found here.


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