Program Analysis
At $62,117 per year, Engineering Technology, General graduates from Northern Illinois University earn slightly above the $58,810 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Engineering Technology, General programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Engineering Technology, General's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $27,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #9 of 34 Engineering Technology, General programs, Northern Illinois University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $62,117 to $85,470 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.