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 Compare across schools →	83	$75,557/yr	High	14.5x
Accounting Compare across schools →	81	$63,743/yr	Very High	15.4x
Finance Compare across schools →	78	$54,802/yr	Very High	14.6x
Business Administration Compare across schools →	74	$52,724/yr	High	14.0x
Management Science Compare across schools →	73	$51,128/yr	Very High	11.9x
Electrical 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 Compare across schools →	64	$70,654/yr	Moderate	12.6x
Engineering Technology Compare across schools →	63	$62,117/yr	High	15.8x
Subject-Area Teaching 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 Compare across schools →	57	$44,214/yr	High	8.5x
Mental Health Services 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 Compare across schools →	50	$38,137/yr	High	11.6x
Biomedical Engineering Compare across schools →	49	$54,047/yr	High	9.6x
Political Science 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 Compare across schools →	43	$40,586/yr	Very High	9.5x
Hospitality 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 Compare across schools →	40	$32,158/yr	Moderate	9.1x
Psychology Compare across schools →	38	$33,150/yr	High	8.3x
Human Development & Family Studies 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 Compare across schools →	35	$36,409/yr	High	8.6x
Communication Disorders Compare across schools →	34	$34,136/yr	High	9.6x
English 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 Compare across schools →	29	$29,062/yr	Moderate	8.2x
Fine Arts Compare across schools →	29	$26,795/yr	Moderate	7.1x
Dietetics & Nutrition Compare across schools →	28	$29,911/yr	High	9.3x
Liberal Arts & Humanities Compare across schools →	27	$29,426/yr	Low	9.0x
Theater & Drama Compare across schools →	23	$23,517/yr	Moderate	6.5x