Northern Illinois University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$50,800
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,113/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
338%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Northern Illinois University's in-state tuition costs $12,700. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $45,902. Five years after graduation, earnings are $46,113, and ten years after graduation, earnings increase to $57,808. The median debt for students is $22,162, and 48.9% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.48. This indicates that the median debt is about half of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation.
To calculate the break-even point, we can divide the median debt by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation suggests a break-even timeline of approximately 0.7 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$12,700
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,162
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,113
Graduation Rate
51%
Receive Financial Aid
49%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $111,286 | 2903% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $81,321 | 1724% |
| Psychology, General | $76,857 | 1548% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $104,614 | 2641% |
| Marketing | $59,336 | 858% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,527 | 511% |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $47,850 | 406% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,635 | 1972% |
| Biology, General | $48,556 | 434% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $55,371 | 702% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $59,876 | 879% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,091 | 219% |
Peer Comparison
338%
20yr ROI
254%
20yr ROI
479%
20yr ROI
658%
20yr ROI
264%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.