What are the average earnings for Northern Illinois University graduates?

In June 2026, the median earnings for working Northern Illinois University alumni 10 years after first enrollment are $57,808, per the US Department of Education College Scorecard (MD_EARN_WNE_P10). This is 5.2% above the top-300-institution cohort median of $54,940.

What is the typical student debt for Northern Illinois University graduates?

The median cumulative debt at graduation for Northern Illinois University students is $22,162, per the College Scorecard (GRAD_DEBT_MDN, June 2026). This is 22.5% above cohort median ($18,095).

What does Northern Illinois University actually cost after financial aid?

The average annual net price at Northern Illinois University — the cost actually paid after grants and scholarships are applied — is $13,391/yr, per the College Scorecard (NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV, June 2026). This is 0.5% below cohort median ($13,461/yr).

What is Northern Illinois University's GEROI score?

Northern Illinois University's Gera Education ROI Index (GEROI) is 3.5/100 (Below-average ROI). GEROI = (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised 0–100 across the top-300 US colleges by enrollment. A score of 3.5 means Northern Illinois University is in the lower half of the cohort on financial return per dollar of net tuition. See the methodology page for the full formula.

Is Northern Illinois University worth it financially?

Based on College Scorecard data (June 2026): Northern Illinois University has a median 10-yr earnings of $57,808, median debt of $22,162, and net price of $13,391/yr — giving a GEROI of 3.5/100. Whether it's "worth it" depends on your field of study, career goals, and financial situation — GEROI provides the factual financial context, not a personalised recommendation.

GeraMarket / US College ROI / Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University: College ROI

Dekalb, IL · 11,301 undergraduates. Median 10-yr earnings: $57,808 · Median debt: $22,162 · Net price: $13,391/yr · GEROI: 3.5/100.

What is the return on investment for Northern Illinois University?

As of June 2026, Northern Illinois University (Dekalb, IL) alumni have a median income of $57,808 ten years after entry — 5.2% above the cohort median of $54,940 — with median debt of $22,162 and a net annual cost of $13,391, per the US Dept of Education College Scorecard (public domain). Gera Education ROI Index: 3.5/100 (Below-average ROI).

Source:US Department of Education — College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution Data)·as of June 2026updated annual (last: 20 June 2026)

Gera Education ROI Index3.5 / 100Northern Illinois University: $57,808 10-yr earnings · $22,162 debt · $13,391/yr net price (June 2026)How this index is calculated

Reference period: June 2026· US Dept of Education — College Scorecard · Public domain · Dekalb, IL

GEROI tier: Below-average ROI (3.5/100)

Based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised within the top-300 US institutions by enrollment. See full methodology.

Northern Illinois University — key figures (June 2026)

Northern Illinois University — College Scorecard (June 2026), US Dept of Education, public domain
Measure	Value	Context
Median 10-yr earnings	$57,808	MD_EARN_WNE_P10 (June 2026) — 5.2% above cohort median
Median debt at graduation	$22,162	GRAD_DEBT_MDN (June 2026) — 22.5% above cohort median ($18,095)
Annual net price	$13,391/yr	NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV (June 2026) — 0.5% below cohort median ($13,461/yr)
Undergraduate enrollment	11,301	UGDS — total undergrad enrolled (June 2026)
GEROI score	3.5 / 100	Gera Education ROI Index (Below-average ROI) — normalised within top-300 cohort

Compare Northern Illinois University with other IL institutions

Filter, sort, and rank all institutions in our database by state, GEROI score, earnings, debt, or net price — personalised to your criteria.

Northern Illinois UniversityGEROI 3.5 / 100 · $57,808 median earnings · $13,391 net price

State

Min GEROI score: 0+

Higher = better ROI

Max net price: $50,000/yr

Sort by

#	Institution	GEROI	10-yr earnings	Median debt	Net price	Details
#1	College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL	6.7/100	$46,909	$10,410	$7,401/yr	View
#2	University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL	6.4/100	$68,740	$16,704	$10,974/yr	View
#3	University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL	5.8/100	$81,054	$19,500	$14,355/yr	View
#4	Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL	3.5/100	$57,808	$22,162	$13,391/yr	View
#5	Chamberlain University-IllinoisAddison, IL	2.9/100	$92,405	$20,919	$31,837/yr	View
#6	Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL	2.8/100	$62,117	$20,482	$19,398/yr	View
#7	DePaul UniversityChicago, IL	1.9/100	$68,751	$23,168	$30,902/yr	View
#8	Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL	1.6/100	$71,530	$24,157	$36,079/yr	View
#9	DeVry University-IllinoisLisle, IL	0.8/100	$45,987	$24,807	$30,770/yr	View

Showing top 25 of 9 matching institutions. Source: US Dept of Education — College Scorecard (June 2026).

GEROI (Gera Education ROI Index) = normalised score 0–100 based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ annual net price. Data: College Scorecard June 2026, public domain, no key required.

Get ROI alerts for Northern Illinois University

Receive GEROI updates when new College Scorecard data is released for Northern Illinois University. Free — no account required.

Get notified View all institutions

Frequently asked questions

What are the average earnings for Northern Illinois University graduates?: In June 2026, the median earnings for working Northern Illinois University alumni 10 years after first enrollment are $57,808, per the US Department of Education College Scorecard (MD_EARN_WNE_P10). This is 5.2% above the top-300-institution cohort median of $54,940.
What is the typical student debt for Northern Illinois University graduates?: The median cumulative debt at graduation for Northern Illinois University students is $22,162, per the College Scorecard (GRAD_DEBT_MDN, June 2026). This is 22.5% above cohort median ($18,095).
What does Northern Illinois University actually cost after financial aid?: The average annual net price at Northern Illinois University — the cost actually paid after grants and scholarships are applied — is $13,391/yr, per the College Scorecard (NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV, June 2026). This is 0.5% below cohort median ($13,461/yr).
What is Northern Illinois University's GEROI score?: Northern Illinois University's Gera Education ROI Index (GEROI) is 3.5/100 (Below-average ROI). GEROI = (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised 0–100 across the top-300 US colleges by enrollment. A score of 3.5 means Northern Illinois University is in the lower half of the cohort on financial return per dollar of net tuition. See the methodology page for the full formula.
Is Northern Illinois University worth it financially?: Based on College Scorecard data (June 2026): Northern Illinois University has a median 10-yr earnings of $57,808, median debt of $22,162, and net price of $13,391/yr — giving a GEROI of 3.5/100. Whether it's "worth it" depends on your field of study, career goals, and financial situation — GEROI provides the factual financial context, not a personalised recommendation.

Other IL institutions (by GEROI)

Contains public sector information published by US Department of Education and licensed under the US Federal Government Open Data (public domain). Source: US Department of Education — College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution Data) (June 2026, published 10 June 2026).