Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Northern Illinois University #116 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,142 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northern Illinois University in the 79.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Northern Illinois University #123 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Northern Illinois University's composite ranking reflects a consistent pattern across pillars — graduates outperform earnings expectations relative to similar students at comparable institutions, a signal that the university's business-dominant program mix translates into real labor-market traction. The mobility ranking reinforces that story: Northern Illinois University converts broad access into upward economic movement at a rate that places it well above most institutions in the Azimuth coverage set.
Azimuth ranks Northern Illinois University #116 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 92.2 percentile. The current structured profile shows retention at 69.6% and a six-year graduation rate of 48.7%. Return on investment ranks #518, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $64,583. Graduates earn about $6,142 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 79.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 77.7 percentile; published cost of attendance is $28,851, and the middle-income net price is $12,797. Access sits in the 93.8 percentile, with 47.3% receiving Pell Grants and 38.3% first-generation.
Northern Illinois University's published cost of attendance is $28,851, but need-based aid shifts what families actually pay by a meaningful amount. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $10,126, while middle-income families pay around $12,797, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,834. Azimuth ranks Northern Illinois University #319 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Northern Illinois University participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Illinois-specific need-based assistance. The spread between low-income and higher-income net prices reflects meaningful grant and scholarship activity for qualifying students, though the gap is narrower than at institutions with larger endowments or more aggressive institutional aid programs. Families are encouraged to review the net price illusion — published sticker prices and actual net prices can differ substantially depending on household income and aid eligibility. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,162, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,508; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $64,583, median federal debt of $22,162 projects to a monthly payment of about $250 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Northern Illinois University is a strong fit for students from Illinois and the broader Midwest who want a public research university grounded in business, applied sciences, and professional programs — and who need a clear, data-backed case that the degree will pay off. Graduates earn median $64,583 four years after enrollment, placing Northern Illinois University in the 64.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $6,142 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 79.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access profile is broad. 47.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 38.3% are first-generation college students — a profile that reflects Northern Illinois University's role as a genuine access institution in IL. Low-income graduates sit in the 69.5 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, meaning the earnings case extends meaningfully to students from lower-income households, not just those who arrive with financial advantages. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Business and applied professional fields, so students whose interests align there will find the strongest outcomes. Students seeking a highly research-intensive or narrowly specialized environment may find a better match elsewhere.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Northern Illinois University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Northern Illinois University's published cost of attendance is $28,851, but need-based aid shifts what families actually pay by a meaningful amount. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $10,126, while middle-income families pay around $12,797, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,834.
Azimuth ranks Northern Illinois University #319 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Northern Illinois University participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Illinois-specific need-based assistance. The spread between low-income and higher-income net prices reflects meaningful grant and scholarship activity for qualifying students, though the gap is narrower than at institutions with larger endowments or more aggressive institutional aid programs.
Families are encouraged to review the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) — published sticker prices and actual net prices can differ substantially depending on household income and aid eligibility. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,162, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,508; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $64,583, median federal debt of $22,162 projects to a monthly payment of about $250 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Northern Illinois University earn median 4-year earnings of $64,583, placing Northern Illinois University in the 64.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,142 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 79.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Northern Illinois University #518 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Psychology, General reports 193 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $49,669, ranked #200 nationally in its major. Health/Medical Preparatory Programs reports 153 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $55,778, ranked #9 nationally in its major.
Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 149 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $73,176, ranked #126 nationally in its major. Computer Science reports 132 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $93,438, ranked #125 nationally in its major.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saint Xavier University Higher acceptance rate (15.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 56 miles away; similar graduate earnings | IL | 86% | $58,656 | Compare |
Carthage College Higher acceptance rate (13.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 68 miles away; similar graduate earnings | WI | 84% | $56,950 | Compare |
Concordia University-Chicago Higher acceptance rate (22.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 49 miles away; similar graduate earnings | IL | 93% | $54,089 | Compare |
University Of Illinois Springfield Higher acceptance rate (13.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | IL | 84% | $57,103 | Compare |
Loras College Higher acceptance rate (21.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | IA | 92% | $58,289 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Towson University Similar quality tier (#4248 ranked) | MD | 82% | $64,390 | #4248 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Boston Similar quality tier (#4250 ranked) | MA | 84% | $65,865 | #4250 | Compare |
Oregon State University Similar quality tier (#4251 ranked) | OR | 77% | $64,010 | #4251 | Compare |
Temple University Similar quality tier (#4247 ranked) | PA | 80% | $63,727 | #4247 | Compare |
Sam Houston State University Similar quality tier (#4245 ranked) | TX | 90% | $54,211 | #4245 | Compare |
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
35 graduates
Computer Science
132 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
115 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
48 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
122 graduates
Northern Illinois University's program mix is anchored in Business, which accounts for 20% of degree output — a concentration that shapes the institution's overall earnings profile. Education represents 7% of graduates and Engineering accounts for 6%, rounding out a portfolio tilted toward applied-professional fields.
Across 49 programs serving roughly 2,839 students annually, 41 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. Computer Science is the program that combines the largest cohort scale with strong earnings, making it the institution's highest aggregate-return major.
Psychology, General is the largest program by graduates (193 annually), and Azimuth ranks it #183 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Among the highest-earning programs, Computer Science leads with median earnings of $93,438 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #108 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Mechanical Engineering follows at $86,999, ranked #174 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions, while The Accounting program graduates 122 students and posts median earnings of $83,573. The largest programs beyond Psychology, General include Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (153 graduates, median earnings of $55,778) and Business Administration (149 graduates, median earnings of $73,176).
The Computer Science program graduates 132 students with median earnings of $93,438 four years after enrollment. Several of these applied-business and health-adjacent fields feed directly into regional workforce demand, while programs like Nursing (166 graduates) represent pathways where four-year earnings may undercount lifetime trajectory for graduates who continue to graduate or professional study.
For context on how [Azimuth evaluates programs](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), see the methodology overview. ```
