At $12,909/yr net price, Northern Illinois University graduates earn $57,808/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,808/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,909 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $51,636 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,808/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,808/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,162 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,047/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,740/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,674/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,806/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,307/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
49.6% of students at Northern Illinois University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Northern Illinois University gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right major and finish. At a net price near $13,000 a year and median debt around $22,000, the debt load stays below one year of median post-graduation earnings. That ratio works in your favor and keeps monthly payments manageable on a $57,808 salary.
The engineering and nursing programs are where the money is. Electrical engineering and nursing graduates both clear $65,000 ten years out, and the debt for those degrees barely moves above the campus median. Mechanical and industrial engineering land close behind. Computer science pays about $59,500 with the lowest debt of the top five, so your cost-to-earnings math there is the cleanest on this list.
The biggest risk here is finishing at all. Only about half of students graduate, and roughly 30% don't return after the first year. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and at NIU that's a real possibility. If you're not confident you'll stay enrolled and complete, the numbers turn against you fast.
This school fits you if you're aiming for engineering, nursing, or computer science and plan to graduate on time. Those paths pay off clearly. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-earning fields, the return gets murkier, and the completion odds make that gamble sharper.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $10,000 a year. That jumps to about $17,800 in the $75,000-$110,000 band and past $21,000 above $110,000. Higher earners pay more than double the lowest tier, so if your family is in that top bracket, weigh NIU's price against in-state alternatives before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northern Illinois University worth the money?
Northern Illinois University offers decent value with a low net price of $12,909 annually and moderate debt levels around $22,000. However, the 50% graduation rate means half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who drop out.
What are the highest paying majors at Northern Illinois University?
Educational administration leads at $98,000 annually, followed by business management at $91,000 and nursing at $89,000. Engineering and education programs generally provide the strongest earnings potential at NIU.
How much debt do Northern Illinois University graduates have?
NIU graduates carry a median debt of $22,162, which is manageable compared to the national average. With average earnings of $57,808 ten years after graduation, most graduates can handle this debt load.
Does Northern Illinois University have a good return on investment?
NIU provides mixed ROI results - the affordable tuition and reasonable debt levels help, but the low graduation rate and modest post-graduation earnings limit overall value. Students in education, business, and healthcare programs see the best financial outcomes.