Management Scienceat Northern Illinois University
Graduates earn $51,128/yr in their first year — about 18.0% below the national Management Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $621K; scenarios range from $552K to $630K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Northern Illinois University
Starting salaries of $51,128/yr fall 18% below the $62,729 national median for Management Science. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Management Science programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Management Science's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
At $20,000 in median debt against $51,128 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #45 of 118 Management Science programs, Northern Illinois University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $51,128 to $65,538 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Northern Illinois University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Management Science
How Northern Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Northern Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northern Illinois University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Management Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Management Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Management Science at Northern Illinois University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Management Science at Northern Illinois University?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Management Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Management Science careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $552,316 in decade earnings vs $630,364 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Management Science from Northern Illinois University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.