Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Northern Illinois University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 38% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 55th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (IL wage index 1.04). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Northern Illinois University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $74,442 | $93,962 | -7% | #206 of 258 | #218 | $22,500 |
| Computer Science | $77,257 | $93,438 | -13% | #212 of 349 | #239 | $21,004 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,069 | $86,999 | -6% | #263 of 318 | #263 | $23,125 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $54,802 | $86,511 | +4% | #128 of 452 | #161 | $15,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,743 | $83,573 | +10% | #206 of 796 | #244 | $15,342 |
| Industrial Engineering | $72,112 | $82,584 | -16% | #91 of 94 | #92 | $23,750 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $62,117 | $81,554 | +1% | #11 of 34 | #20 | $27,250 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $70,654 | $76,856 | +1% | #39 of 93 | #49 | $18,000 |
| Marketing | $51,137 | $76,373 | +10% | #108 of 516 | #123 | $21,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $75,557 | — | — | — | — | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,724 | $73,176 | +7% | #280 of 1176 | #330 | $21,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $51,128 | $71,040 | -18% | #102 of 126 | #104 | $20,000 |
| Mathematics | $44,857 | $69,856 | +0% | #158 of 309 | #167 | $23,068 |
| Apparel and Textiles | — | $68,636 | +19% | #7 of 57 | #13 | — |
| Economics | $45,386 | $66,760 | -19% | #306 of 368 | #300 | $24,976 |
| Chemistry | $43,061 | $65,611 | +1% | #112 of 209 | #132 | $22,750 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $32,337 | $58,546 | +3% | #49 of 137 | #64 | $24,000 |
| Sociology | $35,150 | $58,023 | +10% | #106 of 462 | #106 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,426 | $57,697 | +9% | #141 of 476 | #152 | $25,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $31,899 | $55,778 | -10% | #32 of 48 | #37 | $22,500 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $41,139 | $55,586 | +7% | #17 of 50 | #25 | $27,787 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $29,911 | $55,221 | -1% | #39 of 70 | #54 | $22,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,490 | $55,109 | -2% | #303 of 660 | #339 | $23,812 |
| Anthropology | — | $54,890 | +18% | #35 of 188 | #25 | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,409 | $54,666 | -1% | #137 of 265 | #133 | $22,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,158 | $54,207 | -1% | #280 of 610 | #348 | $25,294 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $54,047 | — | — | — | — | $15,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,225 | $54,039 | -15% | #453 of 565 | #473 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,184 | $53,672 | +4% | #106 of 345 | #171 | $22,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $46,578 | $53,148 | +5% | #68 of 177 | #100 | $21,029 |
| Biology | $38,137 | $52,086 | -9% | #625 of 841 | #689 | $22,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $40,586 | $51,151 | -7% | #170 of 225 | #177 | $20,923 |
| Journalism | $31,753 | $50,658 | -10% | #134 of 187 | #149 | $22,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,214 | $50,385 | +6% | #226 of 680 | #355 | $24,545 |
| Psychology | $33,150 | $49,669 | -2% | #528 of 1027 | #619 | $21,375 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $34,136 | $49,653 | -16% | #203 of 215 | #206 | $16,500 |
| Human Services | $29,062 | $49,514 | +2% | #42 of 94 | #51 | $27,000 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | — | $49,198 | -19% | #16 of 16 | #16 | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $28,342 | $49,147 | +1% | #72 of 172 | #95 | $30,020 |
| English Language and Literature | $34,122 | $47,981 | -1% | #313 of 576 | #346 | $22,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | — | $47,738 | -17% | #114 of 117 | #109 | — |
| History | $33,288 | $46,086 | -9% | #354 of 459 | #375 | $22,333 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,795 | $44,202 | +7% | #144 of 423 | #164 | $22,500 |
| Music | $42,830 | $40,398 | -6% | #179 of 268 | #189 | $27,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,517 | $36,777 | -8% | #183 of 255 | #200 | $27,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Northern Illinois University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $266,319
- Avg rent near campus: $1,394/mo
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 60112 (4.4% cap, Dekalb)
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🏆 Where Northern Illinois University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,792 | $9,792 |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $29,636 | $29,636 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,047 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,740 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,674 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,806 |
| $110,001+ | $21,307 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Northern Illinois University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Northern Illinois University?
How much does it cost to attend Northern Illinois University?
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Is Northern Illinois University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Northern Illinois University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology