Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL niu.edu 11,277 students

Northern Illinois University's main campus is located in DeKalb, Illinois, a setting that provides a traditional college town atmosphere. While NIU is a large university, it fosters a close-knit community, particularly within its various colleges and departments. As a Division I school in the Mid-American Conference, athletics are a significant part of the campus culture, and the university also maintains satellite centers throughout northern Illinois.

Programs

Analyzed in dataset

Earnings

$45,000

Average graduate, 1 yr after

Outlook

52/100

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

Tuition

$12,700

Sticker price (est.)

Financial Aid

The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Northern Illinois University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 46% of students receive Pell Grants; 49% take federal loans.

Net Price by Family Income

Academic Year 2025

Income Bracket	Avg Net Price	4-Year Net Cost
$0 – $30K	$9,047	$36,188
$30K – $48K	$9,740	$38,960
$48K – $75K	$12,674	$50,696
$75K – $110K	$17,806	$71,224
$110K+	$21,307	$85,228
Sticker price (no aid)	$12,700	$50,800

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships, by reported family-income bracket. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

Programs at Northern Illinois University

40 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Degree Program	DW Score	1-yr Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Computer Science Compare across schools →	83	$77,257/yr	Very High	15.9x
Nursing Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Compare across schools →	83	$75,557/yr	High	14.5x
Accounting Accounting and Related Services Compare across schools →	81	$63,743/yr	Very High	15.4x
Finance Finance and Financial Management Services Compare across schools →	78	$54,802/yr	Very High	14.6x
Business Administration Business Administration, Management and Operations Compare across schools →	74	$52,724/yr	High	14.0x
Management Science Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Compare across schools →	73	$51,128/yr	Very High	11.9x
Electrical Engineering Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Compare across schools →	71	$74,442/yr	Very High	16.0x
Industrial Engineering Compare across schools →	70	$72,112/yr	High	16.5x
Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools →	70	$68,069/yr	Very High	16.1x
Economics Compare across schools →	67	$45,386/yr	Very High	12.6x
Marketing Compare across schools →	65	$51,137/yr	Very High	12.4x
Clinical Laboratory Science Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Compare across schools →	64	$70,654/yr	Moderate	12.6x
Engineering Technology Engineering Technology, General Compare across schools →	63	$62,117/yr	High	15.8x
Subject-Area Teaching Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Compare across schools →	62	$45,184/yr	High	9.5x
Mathematics Compare across schools →	61	$44,857/yr	Very High	13.5x
Chemistry Compare across schools →	58	$43,061/yr	High	11.3x
Teacher Education Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Compare across schools →	57	$44,214/yr	High	8.5x
Mental Health Services Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Compare across schools →	56	$41,139/yr	Moderate	10.4x
Special Education and Teaching Compare across schools →	52	$46,578/yr	High	10.2x
Biology Biology, General Compare across schools →	50	$38,137/yr	High	11.6x
Biomedical Engineering Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools →	49	$54,047/yr	High	9.6x
Political Science Political Science and Government Compare across schools →	47	$32,225/yr	Very High	10.9x
History Compare across schools →	45	$33,288/yr	High	9.6x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools →	44	$38,490/yr	High	10.2x
Romance Languages Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Compare across schools →	43	$40,586/yr	Very High	9.5x
Hospitality Management Hospitality Administration/Management Compare across schools →	42	$32,337/yr	High	5.4x
Sociology Compare across schools →	40	$35,150/yr	High	8.8x
Health & Physical Education Health and Physical Education/Fitness Compare across schools →	40	$32,158/yr	Moderate	9.1x
Psychology Psychology, General Compare across schools →	38	$33,150/yr	High	8.3x
Human Development & Family Studies Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Compare across schools →	37	$28,342/yr	High	8.0x
Music Compare across schools →	35	$42,830/yr	High	5.2x
Natural Resources & Conservation Research Natural Resources Conservation and Research Compare across schools →	35	$36,409/yr	High	8.6x
Communication Disorders Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Compare across schools →	34	$34,136/yr	High	9.6x
English English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools →	32	$34,122/yr	Very High	7.7x
Journalism Compare across schools →	30	$31,753/yr	Very High	8.3x
Human Services Human Services, General Compare across schools →	29	$29,062/yr	Moderate	8.2x
Fine Arts Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools →	29	$26,795/yr	Moderate	7.1x
Dietetics & Nutrition Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Compare across schools →	28	$29,911/yr	High	9.3x
Liberal Arts & Humanities Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Compare across schools →	27	$29,426/yr	Low	9.0x
Theater & Drama Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools →	23	$23,517/yr	Moderate	6.5x