Northern Illinois University Rankings by Salary Score
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral
Northern Illinois University's Top Rankings
Northern Illinois University is ranked on 3 lists of the best colleges by earnings one year out of college.
Salary and Debt by Major at Northern Illinois University
We calculated a salary score for each of Northern Illinois University's programs by comparing program-specific median alumni earnings to median alumni earnings for the same program across all schools that provide this data. This way, students can compare the relative salary strength of a specific major at Northern Illinois University to the same major at other schools. A school's overall score by level is based on the school's by-program performance weighted by student enrollment in each program. Data is sourced from the December 2020 release of the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and reflects median alumni debt upon graduation and median alumni earnings in the year after graduation for students who received federal financial aid. Debt and salary numbers are shown rounded to the nearest $10.
Salary Scores for NIU Bachelor's Degrees
| Field of Study | Employment Rate | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $18,750 | $56,540 | |
| Anthropology | Not Reported | $28,960 | |
| Apparel and Textiles | $27,000 | $42,530 | |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | Not Reported | $37,750 | |
| Biology, General | $24,560 | $34,910 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $20,000 | $50,150 | |
| Chemistry | $25,860 | $34,530 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $22,500 | $56,510 | |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,000 | $36,340 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $22,000 | $24,420 | |
| Computer Science | $21,590 | $60,850 | |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $25,000 | $35,270 | |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $26,250 | $21,850 | |
| Economics | $23,000 | $44,170 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $25,000 | $67,970 | |
| Engineering Technology, General | $27,000 | $57,020 | |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,500 | $34,530 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $18,820 | $55,860 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,050 | $27,180 | |
| Geography and Cartography | Not Reported | $40,470 | |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | Not Reported | $40,190 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,000 | $32,750 | |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $23,210 | $30,230 | |
| History | $21,750 | $32,570 | |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $30,410 | $30,480 | |
| Human Services, General | $24,530 | $28,240 | |
| Industrial Engineering | $24,000 | $61,520 | |
| Journalism | $25,650 | $30,050 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $22,160 | $37,500 | |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $23,560 | $45,940 | |
| Marketing | $22,500 | $47,260 | |
| Mathematics | $21,500 | $44,020 | |
| Mechanical Engineering | $23,750 | $65,180 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $26,140 | $39,210 | |
| Music | $20,190 | $29,690 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $20,000 | $37,110 | |
| Political Science and Government | $25,000 | $34,420 | |
| Psychology, General | $21,500 | $30,150 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $31,250 | $65,130 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $26,000 | $29,370 | |
| Sociology | $25,000 | $36,790 | |
| Special Education and Teaching | $26,000 | $41,230 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $24,250 | $37,590 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $26,500 | $36,670 |
Salary Scores for NIU Master's Degrees
| Field of Study | Employment Rate | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $21,450 | $63,710 | |
| Anthropology | Not Reported | $33,990 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,050 | $93,560 | |
| Communication and Media Studies | Not Reported | $31,130 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $46,000 | $53,180 | |
| Computer Science | Not Reported | $72,800 | |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | Not Reported | $48,940 | |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Not Reported | $41,190 | |
| Education, General | Not Reported | $42,680 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $30,600 | $50,470 | |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | $27,510 | $58,670 | |
| English Language and Literature, General | Not Reported | $38,290 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Not Reported | $23,650 | |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | Not Reported | $49,330 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $21,450 | $38,650 | |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | Not Reported | $40,370 | |
| Industrial Engineering | Not Reported | $54,710 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services | Not Reported | $69,340 | |
| Mechanical Engineering | Not Reported | $89,840 | |
| Music | Not Reported | $24,040 | |
| Public Administration | $26,660 | $56,640 | |
| Public Health | Not Reported | $43,430 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $23,750 | $92,740 | |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,780 | $51,360 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $43,180 | $43,090 | |
| Taxation | Not Reported | $97,070 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $19,290 | $52,330 |
Salary Scores for NIU Doctoral Degrees
| Field of Study | Employment Rate | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | Not Reported | $77,400 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Not Reported | $81,810 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $20,500 | $118,470 | |
| Law | $74,610 | $51,550 | |
| Psychology, General | $55,930 | $60,350 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $61,500 | $71,850 |
Most Recent Reviews
Northern Illinois University was a means to getting my degree. It is located close to the Chicagoland area, so I was able to feel the college independence, while still getting support from my family. My parents both graduated from Northern Illinois University, as well. Their prior experience helped me navigate through N.I.U.'s system. It is a big university, so I had to get used to being a number, rather than a name. Like any bigger institution, I had to design my own smaller community of friends and colleagues.... Read More
To be a greater part of the N.I.U. experience, I also got involved with Alpha Phi Omega. This is a co-ed service fraternity. APO focused on volunteer work, fellowship and leadership, and it succeeded in getting me more involved and building these skills within me. For example. through my APO experience, I attended a Leadership Seminar at another university. I also served as the leader of the Philanthropy Committee and raised funds to support a local domestic violence center. These experiences helped to build a well-rounded resume and, eventually, helped land me my first professional position.