At $16,157/yr net price, National Louis University graduates earn $45,799/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,799/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,157 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $64,628 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,799/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,799/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,357/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,584/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,887/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,414/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,279/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $86,424 | $67,279 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,600 | $41,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $61,516 | $41,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $59,921 | $30,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $57,705 | $23,349 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $56,234 | $22,507 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $54,238 | $21,555 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $53,017 | $41,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $50,887 | $28,041 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $48,667 |
The Risk Factor
36.9% of students at National Louis University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
National Louis University gives you a mixed financial picture that leans risky. The median graduate earns under $46,000 ten years out, and only 37% of students finish their degree at all. That graduation rate is the number to sit with: if you enroll here, you have better than even odds of leaving without the credential you paid for, and a 56% retention rate means many people don't make it past year one.
Your major matters a lot here. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods is the clear winner, paying about $10,000 more per year than Criminology and roughly $16,000 more than Hospitality Management. Human Resources and Health Administration land in the middle. Hospitality is the weakest bet at NLU, pairing the lowest earnings with some of the highest program debt, near $25,000. Health Administration carries the same debt load for meaningfully better pay, so the credential you choose changes whether your loans make sense.
The specific risk here is paying and not finishing. Debt at NLU is manageable for graduates, but debt without a degree is the real danger given the completion odds. If you start, have a concrete plan to finish.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay less than the sticker average, while families over $110,000 pay around $25,000 a year. That structure makes NLU most defensible if you qualify for aid and pick Management or a similar higher-earning field.
This school fits you if you're a working or returning adult targeting a business, HR, or health administration career in the Chicago market, and you're confident you'll complete. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to hospitality, need a strong safety net to finish, or are paying full price at the top income tier for these earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National Louis University worth the cost compared to other schools?
National Louis University has a relatively low net price at $16,157 per year, but graduates earn only $45,799 annually after 10 years. The school's 37% graduation rate means many students leave without a degree, making the investment risky despite the lower upfront cost.
What are the best paying programs at National Louis University?
Educational Administration and Supervision graduates earn $86,424 annually, making it the strongest ROI program at National Louis University. Business Administration ($63,600) and Health Administration ($61,516) also provide decent returns, while teacher education programs average around $57,705.
How much debt do National Louis University students typically graduate with?
National Louis University graduates have a median debt of $19,750, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with average earnings of $45,799, debt payments could still strain budgets for graduates in lower-paying education fields.
Does National Louis University have good job placement after graduation?
National Louis University's 37% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. While the school doesn't publish specific job placement data, the relatively modest 10-year earnings of $45,799 indicate mixed career outcomes for graduates.