North Central College
North Central College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
North Central College at a Glance
North Central College is a private college in Naperville, Illinois, United States. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and has 73 undergraduate majors of study, 17 minors, 25 graduate programs, and 4 certificate programs offered by four undergraduate colleges/schools and one School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
1861
165 years old
$153M
$153.2 million (2025)
2,695
2,304 undergrad · 327 grad
139
4 acres
Identity
Is North Central College Worth It?
North Central College offers moderate value at $21,044/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $60,123, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How North Central College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IL
Ranked #19 of 150 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #19 | North Central College | 48 | $21,044 | $60,123 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of North Central College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in IL.
Best Programs at North Central College
The highest-earning program at North Central College is Computer Science at $59,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $19,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from North Central College earns $59,800, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $19,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,044/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $59,800 | $59,800 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $51,500 | $51,500 | $23,749 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,200 | $44,200 | $21,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $44,100 | $44,100 | $22,296 |
| Marketing | $42,400 | $42,400 | $26,374 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $40,200 | $40,200 | $17,781 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,400 | $39,400 | $23,292 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,800 | $38,800 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $30,800 | $30,800 | $25,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $29,300 | $29,300 | $25,750 |
| Psychology, General | $28,500 | $28,500 | $25,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,000 | $26,000 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,000 | $19,000 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Naperville, IL
- Student Body
- 2,428 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,044
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,123
- Median Student Debt
- $24,500