Northeastern Illinois University
- Graduation Rate
- 18% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,234 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,109 C+
- 18% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.0 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $23.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,239,790.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 28% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 18% — 68% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.18% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Northeastern Illinois University Matters
Northeastern Illinois University is a public university in Chicago, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. 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
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,982
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Education, Humanities
Why students choose Northeastern Illinois 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 75% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,109 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,234 ten years after enrolling — 28% above the typical college, against $14,600 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 9% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.45 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Northeastern Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 75%, making it accessible for many students looking to further their education in Chicago. This open-door policy invites a diverse student body, fostering a rich cultural environment on campus.
When it comes to outcomes, the 10-year earnings for graduates average $52,234. While specific mobility data is not available, the university serves a significant number of Pell Grant recipients, indicating a strong commitment to supporting low-income students. This suggests that graduates may face unique challenges but also have the potential for upward mobility through education.
The net price of attendance sits at $14,109, with a median debt of $14,600, which is manageable for many students. Those who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Education, Computer Science, Psychology, or Humanities. With a focus on practical career paths, Northeastern Illinois University aims to equip its students for the workforce while keeping costs relatively low.
Rankings
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Illinois
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Illinois
- #14 Best Education Colleges in Illinois
- #14 Best Communications Colleges in Illinois
- #21 Best Business Colleges in Illinois
- #22 Best Online Education Programs in Illinois
- #23 Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
- #23 Best Master's Programs in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Northeastern Illinois University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. The graduation rate is roughly 18%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 52%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,265
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 51%
- Applicants
- 4,603
- Admitted
- 2,886
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 Northeastern Illinois University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northeastern Illinois University is $22,726, 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 $14,109. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,709 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,600 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,383
- Out-of-State
- $22,726
- Avg Net Price
- $14,109
- Median Debt
- $14,600
- Pell Grant Rate
- 56%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 19%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,709
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,824
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,077
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,001
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 Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $52,234, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,801
- 8 Years
- $47,923
- 10 Years
- $52,234
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.28x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (33)
- 5%
- 100% (33)
- 5%
- 100% (33)
- 5%
- 100% (33)
- 5%
How Northeastern 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 Northeastern Illinois University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northeastern Illinois University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,109/year ($56,436 total). Graduates earn $52,234 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,296,226 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,239,790 (23.0× your investment). The median debt is $14,600, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 18% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $56,436
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,296,226
- Net Return
- $1,239,790
- ROI Multiple
- 23.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,109
- Median Debt
- $14,600
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 18%
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 Northeastern Illinois University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northeastern Illinois 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 3.18%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $53,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.18%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 18.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $72,416
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,758,621
- Investment Income
- $203,728
Top Programs
The fields Northeastern Illinois 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 20% $56,154 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 13% $67,185 early-career
- Education 13% $61,913 early-career
- Humanities 12% $40,898 early-career
- Psychology 7% $35,558 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $54,063 early-career
- Communications 5% $38,980 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $34,239 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 Northeastern Illinois 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northeastern Illinois University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Northeastern Illinois University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. The graduation rate is roughly 18%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northeastern Illinois University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northeastern Illinois University is $22,726, 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 $14,109. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,709 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,600 in federal student loans.
Is Northeastern Illinois University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $52,234, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Northeastern Illinois University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northeastern Illinois 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 3.18%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $53,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), 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 Northeastern Illinois University.
- University of Southern MainePortland, ME · Close peer43% grad $49,958 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer40% grad $47,872 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · Close peer43% grad $48,587 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- SUNY Buffalo State UniversityBuffalo, NY · Close peer35% grad $52,334 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-ParksideKenosha, WI · Close peer40% grad $51,129 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI · Close peer59% grad $54,458 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), 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