North Park University
North Park University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
North Park University at a Glance
North Park University is a private Christian university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church. It is located on Chicago's north side in the North Park community area and enrolls more than 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students.
1891
135 years old
$114M
$113.6 million (2025)
2,631
1,877 undergrad · 747 grad
125
15:1 student:faculty
30 acres
35
Identity
Is North Park University Worth It?
North Park University offers moderate value at $16,948/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,572, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How North Park University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IL
Ranked #14 of 189 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 St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | University of Tulsa | 74 | $15,000 | $61,408 |
| #4 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #5 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #6 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #14 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of North Park University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in IL.
Best Programs at North Park University
The highest-earning program at North Park University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $22,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from North Park University earns $61,100, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $22,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $28,375 in median debt vs. $25,125 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,948/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,100 | $61,100 | $28,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,100 | $42,100 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,300 | $36,300 | $21,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,400 | $34,400 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $28,500 | $28,500 | $23,500 |
| Biology, General | $24,200 | $24,200 | $25,575 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $24,000 | $24,000 | $26,753 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,800 | $22,800 | $25,125 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Student Body
- 1,818 students
- Admission Rate
- 69%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,948
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,572
- Median Student Debt
- $25,500