North Park University
#1 Best Business Colleges in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 57% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,572 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,948 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 69% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Business Colleges in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $22.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,437,882.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 46% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why North Park University Matters
North Park University is a private university in Chicago, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,818
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 37
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose North Park University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 69% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,948 a year after grants and scholarships — 1% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,572 ten years after enrolling — 46% above the typical college, against $25,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 39% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
North Park University has a diverse student body of 1,818, with a relatively accessible acceptance rate of 69%. This allows a wide range of students to consider their options in Chicago, a city known for its vibrant culture and job market.
The earnings data reveals that graduates earn a median salary of $59,572 ten years after enrollment. While the graduation rate stands at 57%, a significant percentage, 44%, of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that many come from low-income backgrounds. This suggests that the university plays a role in supporting students who might face financial barriers.
Students at North Park University can expect a net price of around $16,948, with a median debt of $25,500 upon graduation. Those who thrive here are likely to be driven and adaptable, seeking programs in fields like business, health professions, and psychology. The university’s offerings can serve as a launching pad for careers in a variety of industries.
Rankings
- #1 Best Business Colleges in Illinois
- #4 Best MBA Programs in Illinois
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Illinois
- #9 Best Colleges in Illinois
- #10 Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
- #10 Best Master's Programs in Illinois
- #10 Best Education Colleges in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective North Park University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Park University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
North Park University, located in Chicago, Illinois, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Retention Rate
- 62%
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,245
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 5,039
- Admitted
- 3,427
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Park University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Park University is $36,710, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,948. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,845 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $36,710
- Out-of-State
- $36,710
- Avg Net Price
- $16,948
- Median Debt
- $25,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 44%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 50%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,845
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,843
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,067
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,964
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at North Park University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is North Park University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Park University earn a median of $59,572, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,326
- 8 Years
- $53,586
- 10 Years
- $59,572
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (171)
- 42%
- 100% (171)
- 42%
- 100% (171)
- 42%
- 100% (171)
- 42%
How North Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is North Park University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, North Park University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,948/year ($67,792 total). Graduates earn $59,572 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,505,674 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,437,882 (22.2× your investment). The median debt is $25,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 57% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $67,792
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,505,674
- Net Return
- $1,437,882
- ROI Multiple
- 22.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,948
- Median Debt
- $25,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does North Park University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
North Park University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.71%, well above the typical college. About 7.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.71%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 23.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $118,474
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,851,705
- Investment Income
- $-5,350,331
Top Programs
The fields North Park University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 37% $54,163 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $75,838 early-career
- Education 8% $44,467 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $29,017 early-career
- Psychology 6% $38,134 early-career
- Social Sciences 4%
- Communications 3% $27,545 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $46,521 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for North Park University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Park University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
North Park University, located in Chicago, Illinois, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Park University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Park University is $36,710, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,948. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,845 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,500 in federal student loans.
Is North Park University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Park University earn a median of $59,572, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does North Park University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
North Park University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.71%, well above the typical college. About 7.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is North Park University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at North Park University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to North Park University.
- Madonna UniversityLivonia, MI · Close peer59% grad $59,058 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Daemen UniversityAmherst, NY · Close peer59% grad $61,808 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. Mary's College of MarylandSt. Mary's City, MD · Close peer69% grad $60,110 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCosta Mesa, CA · Close peer56% grad $59,541 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Canisius UniversityBuffalo, NY · Close peer69% grad $60,681 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuse, NY · Close peer68% grad $55,763 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is North Park University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at North Park University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note