Is Northern Illinois University worth it?
Northern Illinois University is a public, four-year institution in Dekalb, Illinois (small suburb). It awarded 4,024 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in psychology, computer science and business administration and management.
Employer and job title data for Northern Illinois University is being added
Federal data below is live now. When the scan lands, this page will show graduates found employed, top employers, first and current job titles, industries, metros and the trend by class year.
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- Found employed by class year, 2020 to 2025
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Federal data
Federal context for Northern Illinois University
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$45,902
Median earnings 4 years after
$64,583
Median earnings 10 years after
$57,808
Average net price
$13,391
Completion rate
49%
Completions (2024)
4,024
Years to pay back
under 1 year
Students (undergrad)
11,301
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's | $52,724 | $73,176 | 237 |
| Communication and Media Studies | Bachelor's | $38,490 | $55,109 | 221 |
| Marketing | Bachelor's | $51,137 | $76,373 | 199 |
| Computer Science | Bachelor's | $77,257 | $93,438 | 195 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | $33,150 | $49,669 | 184 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's | $85,140 | $119,872 | 184 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's | $68,069 | $86,999 | 173 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | Bachelor's | $31,899 | $55,778 | 158 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's | $44,214 | $50,385 | 149 |
| Accounting and Related Services | Master's | $71,477 | $101,106 | 144 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | Bachelor's | $62,117 | $81,554 | 126 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | Bachelor's | $28,342 | $49,147 | 117 |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's | $38,137 | $52,086 | 110 |
| Law | First professional | $57,561 | $78,459 | 107 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Master's | $58,494 | $65,145 | 99 |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | 213 |
| Business Administration and Management, General | Master's | 155 |
| Information Technology | Master's | 144 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | Bachelor's | 124 |
| Computer Science | Bachelor's | 120 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's | 119 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other | Bachelor's | 112 |
| Computer Science | Master's | 110 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | Bachelor's | 109 |
| Accounting | Bachelor's | 104 |
Federal view: Census PSEO, most recent federal cohort, one year after completion
| Industry | Share of graduates | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Services | 23% | 19,238 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 15% | 12,528 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 12% | 10,191 |
| Retail Trade | 8% | 6,525 |
| Manufacturing | 7% | 6,135 |
| Finance and Insurance | 6% | 4,705 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 5% | 4,475 |
| Wholesale Trade | 4% | 3,555 |
Similar schools
Other public four year schools in Illinois
Same state, same sector, nearest by completions.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL
57%
completion rate
3,278
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageSouthern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
62%
completion rate
2,867
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageEastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL
47%
completion rate
2,372
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageFor school staff
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Sources: federal figures for Northern Illinois University. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for Illinois. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page