Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 51.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.6%
- Retention Rate
- 70.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $57,808
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,162
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 60.1%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $235/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $98,186 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $91,587 | $32,950 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $88,920 | $44,065 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $86,867 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $84,913 | |
| Taxation. | Master | $78,971 | |
| Computer Science. | Master | $75,204 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $70,009 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $69,151 | $61,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $68,499 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,989 | $22,500 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $66,077 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $65,924 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,150 | $23,125 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $63,685 | $20,500 |
Outcomes Overview
Northern Illinois graduates earn a median of $57,808 ten years after graduation, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 38%. Monthly loan payments of $235 represent about 4.9% of typical graduate income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong teacher education programs feed into Illinois school districts, where starting salaries align well with this debt load. Public administration graduates often enter government roles with steady advancement potential. With 96% of graduates finding employment and the loan repayment rate at 60.12%, Northern Illinois provides decent career preparation despite the modest 49.6% six-year graduation rate. The combination of reasonable debt levels and solid employment outcomes delivers an average return on investment.