Students at North Park University achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations, with graduates earning about $11,162 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
This substantial earnings advantage, combined with a zero default rate, demonstrates the university's ability to deliver strong financial outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds.
North Park University is a small private nonprofit institution in Chicago that delivers strong value through personalized education and impressive earnings outcomes. Despite its modest size, the university consistently helps students achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations—graduates earn about $11,162 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide. This earnings advantage places North Park in the top third nationally for return on investment among private colleges.
The university serves a diverse student body, with 43% of students receiving Pell Grants and 37% being first-generation college students. As a designated "Mobility Engine," North Park combines broad access with meaningful upward mobility outcomes. The institution's small size allows for close faculty mentorship and individualized support, which helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations despite the university's accessible admissions profile.
Located in Chicago, North Park offers students access to internships, networking, and career opportunities in one of the nation's major metropolitan areas. The combination of small college intimacy, urban location, and strong financial outcomes makes North Park an attractive option for students who want personal attention without sacrificing long-term earning potential. For families seeking a private college experience that delivers measurable return on investment, North Park represents solid value in the competitive Chicago higher education market.
North Park University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive university serving diverse career paths. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program and highest aggregate return major, graduating 114 students annually with median earnings of $45,584. This program benefits from Chicago's robust business environment and the university's emphasis on practical, career-focused education.
The Adult Health Nurse/Nursing program represents North Park's strongest earning potential, with 73 graduates earning a median of $63,826 ten years after graduation. This reflects the high demand for nursing professionals in Chicago's extensive healthcare system, from major medical centers to community health organizations. The program's success demonstrates North Park's ability to prepare students for high-demand, well-compensated careers in essential fields.
Adult and Continuing Education, while smaller with 20 graduates, showcases North Park's commitment to serving working adults and career changers. These students earn $37,424 in median income, reflecting the university's role in helping professionals advance their careers and transition into education-related fields. The diversity of these three flagship programs—business, nursing, and education—illustrates North Park's comprehensive approach to career preparation across multiple sectors of the Chicago economy.
North Park University graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $59,572, with the university delivering an impressive earnings advantage of about $11,162 compared with similar students at other institutions. This substantial earnings boost places North Park among the stronger performers nationally for helping students achieve higher-than-expected financial outcomes, reflecting the value of the university's personalized education approach and Chicago location.
The university's program mix drives much of this success. Business Administration and Management is North Park's largest and highest-return program, graduating 114 students annually with median earnings of $45,584. The Adult Health Nurse/Nursing program, with 73 graduates, delivers particularly strong outcomes at $63,826 in median earnings, reflecting the high demand for nursing professionals in the Chicago healthcare market. Adult and Continuing Education graduates, while fewer in number at 20 students, earn $37,424 and represent the university's commitment to serving working adults and career changers.
North Park's small size and Chicago location create advantages for career development. The university's intimate scale allows for close faculty mentorship and personalized career guidance, while its urban setting provides access to internships and networking opportunities across diverse industries. This combination helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations, with over 415 students earning more than $75,000 annually within ten years of graduation.
North Park University maintains relatively consistent and predictable pricing across income levels, making it accessible for families from diverse economic backgrounds. Low-income students pay about $17,309 annually in net price, while middle-income families see costs of $17,712—remarkably similar figures that reflect the university's commitment to need-based aid. Even high-income families pay $23,154, which represents reasonable pricing for a private college in a major metropolitan area like Chicago.
The university's financial aid strategy focuses on making education accessible while maintaining sustainability. Most students graduate with manageable debt levels, with typical federal student loan debt of $25,500 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $19,075. These amounts are reasonable given North Park's strong earnings outcomes, and the university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates can successfully manage their debt obligations after graduation.
What makes North Park particularly sustainable financially is the combination of predictable costs and strong post-graduation earnings. With median earnings of nearly $60,000 ten years out, most graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment. The university's loan repayment data shows that borrowers make steady progress paying down balances, with performance consistently above national averages in the early years after graduation.
North Park University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
