At $23,033/yr net price, North Central College graduates earn $60,123/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,123/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,033 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $92,132 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,123/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,123/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,752/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,536/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,725/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,967/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,279/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $71,015 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $63,501 | $26,228 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $62,260 | $31,918 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $58,921 | $21,166 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $56,641 | $26,801 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $46,478 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $45,584 | $20,649 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $45,500 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $45,305 | $18,384 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,240 | $21,500 |
The Risk Factor
71.1% of students at North Central College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
North Central College gives you a solid but uneven financial return. A median debt of $24,500 against $60,123 median earnings ten years out means your debt stays below one year's pay, which keeps repayment manageable. The 71% grad rate and 82% retention mean most students who start finish, so you're unlikely to pay for credits without a degree to show for it.
Your major decides a lot here. Computer science graduates out-earn public relations graduates by roughly $18,000 a year, and CS grads carry more debt ($26,228) to get there, so the payoff still favors them clearly. Accounting is the quiet winner: strong earnings near $59,000 with the second-lowest debt on the list at $21,166. Finance is the outlier to watch. It pays the least of the top five at $46,478 while carrying the highest debt at $27,000, so a finance degree here is the weakest bet among the school's better-earning programs. Naperville sits in the Chicago metro, which supports the accounting, finance, and tech jobs these programs feed into.
The main risk is program choice, not the school overall. Pick a lower-earning major and take on near-average debt, and your return shrinks fast. Any major outside the top earners listed here will likely land below the $60,123 median.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay $13,752. over $110k, you pay $27,279, nearly double. If your family earns under $48k, this school is priced within reach and worth a serious look, especially for accounting or computer science. If you're paying the top-tier price and planning on a lower-earning major, you should compare cheaper options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Central College worth the cost?
North Central College graduates earn $60,123 annually after 10 years, which is reasonable given the $24,500 median debt load. The $23,033 net price is manageable for a private college, though the 71% graduation rate means nearly 3 in 10 students don't finish.
What are the highest paying majors at North Central College?
Educational Administration leads at $71,015 annually, followed by Computer Science at $63,501. Business and Accounting majors earn around $60,000, while Economics graduates make $56,641.
How much debt do North Central College students graduate with?
The median debt is $24,500, which is below the national average for private colleges. This debt level is generally manageable given typical starting salaries for graduates.
Does North Central College have good financial aid?
The net price of $23,033 suggests decent financial aid for a private institution with a sticker price around $45,000. However, aid varies significantly by family income and academic profile.