Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northern Illinois University at a Glance
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. It was founded as "Northern Illinois State Normal School" in 1895 by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld, initially to provide the state with college-educated teachers. In addition to the main campus in DeKalb, it has satellite centers in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon, Illinois.
1895
131 years old
$123M
$122.6 million (2025)
15,726
12,118 undergrad · 3,608 grad
13 acres
Identity
Is Northern Illinois University Worth It?
Northern Illinois University offers moderate value at $13,391/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,808, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 49% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Northern Illinois University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #32 of 88 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | CUNY City College | 100 | $3,776 | $66,039 |
| #4 | CUNY Queens College | 100 | $4,195 | $62,763 |
| #5 | University of Florida-Online | 100 | $4,815 | $71,588 |
| #6 | Farmingdale State College | 88 | $10,867 | $69,781 |
| #32 | Northern Illinois University | 53 | $13,391 | $57,808 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northern Illinois University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Northern Illinois University
The highest-earning program at Northern Illinois University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $64,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Northern Illinois University earns $64,100, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,200. 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: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $24,196 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,391/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $64,100 | $64,100 | $24,196 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,600 | $62,600 | $25,697 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,900 | $59,900 | $25,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $58,600 | $58,600 | $28,128 |
| Computer Science | $57,400 | $57,400 | $22,500 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $55,200 | $55,200 | $28,405 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,900 | $54,900 | $20,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $54,700 | $54,700 | $23,454 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,000 | $48,000 | $21,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,900 | $47,900 | $21,250 |
| Economics | $44,300 | $44,300 | $21,501 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $41,700 | $41,700 | $26,000 |
| Mathematics | $41,700 | $41,700 | $23,125 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $41,500 | $41,500 | $21,024 |
| Marketing | $40,900 | $40,900 | $25,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $38,000 | $38,000 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,700 | $35,700 | $27,000 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $35,500 | $35,500 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,000 | $35,000 | $23,150 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,300 | $34,300 | $24,890 |
| Chemistry | $34,100 | $34,100 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,000 | $34,000 | $24,386 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $31,600 | $31,600 | $24,764 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $31,300 | $31,300 | $20,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,900 | $30,900 | $25,062 |
| History | $30,700 | $30,700 | $24,750 |
| Biology, General | $30,300 | $30,300 | $23,416 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $29,100 | $29,100 | $25,500 |
| Sociology | $29,000 | $29,000 | $26,000 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $29,000 | $29,000 | $22,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $21,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $28,700 | $28,700 | $28,875 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,100 | $28,100 | $22,750 |
| Psychology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $21,500 |
| Human Services, General | $25,700 | $25,700 | $25,565 |
| Journalism | $24,500 | $24,500 | $28,658 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,800 | $23,800 | $23,562 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $23,100 | $23,100 | $19,642 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,200 | $20,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Dekalb, IL
- Student Body
- 11,301 students
- Admission Rate
- 70%
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,391
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,808
- Median Student Debt
- $22,162