Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, Illinois · Public · 74.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 56/100 · Below Average Value
Northeastern Illinois University is a public urban commuter university in Chicago, Illinois, enrolling approximately 3,982 students. It earns an overall ROI score of 56 — Below Average Value — primarily due to a severe completion rate challenge: only 22% of students complete a degree within the expected timeframe, the lowest of any institution in this dataset. This extraordinarily low completion rate reflects NEIU's mission as a non-residential access institution serving first-generation, working-adult, and transfer students for whom degree completion is a multi-year journey rather than a four-year path. The in-state tuition of $12,383 and net price of $14,109 are low, and median debt of just $14,600 is the second-lowest in this group. The earnings premium subscore of 68 reflects 30.5% higher earnings than high-school-only workers, and computer science graduates earn $62,831 one year out. The 11.4-year payback period and the 70% three-year repayment rate are the practical financial metrics for students who complete. NEIU is best understood not as an ROI-optimized credential but as a critical access pathway for Chicago students who would otherwise not pursue four-year degrees.
The data raises concerns about Northeastern Illinois University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate21.6% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Northeastern Illinois University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,383/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $22,726/yr |
| Average net price | $14,109/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $56,436 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,234 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,600 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $155 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 21.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,982 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Northeastern Illinois University is $12,383/year ($22,726/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,109/year, or roughly $56,436 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,709/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,001/year.
The median graduate leaves with $14,600 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $155 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $52,234 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.41 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,709 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,824 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,077 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,464 |
| $110,001+ | $25,001 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from families earning under $30,000 face a net price of $13,709 — extremely affordable for Chicago, where living expenses alone can exceed this figure. Federal and state grant aid covers a large share of tuition costs for Pell-eligible students. For low-income Chicago residents committed to degree completion, NEIU provides access to a four-year credential at a cost that is nearly impossible to replicate at any other four-year institution in the metro area.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students ($48,001–$75,000) pay $15,077 in net price — still very low in the Chicago market. At this price, computer science and accounting graduates recover total costs in three to four years based on starting salaries. The completion rate caveat applies here too: students who persist to graduation find strong ROI; those who leave without a degree face modest but unnecessary debt.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income students ($110,000-plus) face a net price of $25,001 — still lower than many private commuter colleges in Chicago. NEIU is primarily a value option for local students, and higher-income families have more options available. The comparison set for this group includes DePaul University, Loyola Chicago, and Illinois Institute of Technology, all of which offer stronger facilities and career services at higher price points.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Northeastern Illinois University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $88,917 | B+ |
| Social Work | $53,848 | B |
| Teacher Education | $52,176 | B |
| Psychology | $54,301 | C+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $55,569 | B |
| Biology | $53,567 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,226 | B |
| Accounting | $68,328 | B+ |
| Marketing | $69,011 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,247 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is NEIU's strongest ROI program with 103 annual graduates. One-year earnings of $62,831 and four-year earnings of $88,917 are competitive with any public university in Illinois at a fraction of peer-school prices. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 earns a B+ grade against only $15,750 in median debt. NEIU CS graduates enter Chicago's enormous technology employer base — from financial services to healthcare IT — with strong earnings potential and minimal debt burden.
Accounting
Accounting graduates earn $50,475 one year out and $68,328 at four years. Against just $15,000 in median debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 earns a B+ grade. The 55 annual graduates compete directly in Chicago's large public accounting and corporate finance market. At NEIU's net price, accounting offers exceptional financial value — among the most efficient paths to a public accounting credential in the Chicago metro area.
Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management graduates earn $49,131 one year out and $63,276 at four years. Against $15,365 in median debt, the ratio of 0.31 earns a B+ grade. The 30 annual graduates enter Chicago's large corporate HR market with strong credentials and minimal debt. This is a relatively low-profile program at NEIU but one of the most financially efficient pathways it offers.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance graduates earn $48,807 one year out and $64,022 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 earns a B+ grade against only $12,502 in median debt — the lowest debt level of any tracked program. The 34 annual graduates enter Chicago's financial services industry with the lowest debt-to-income ratio of any NEIU program. At these numbers, NEIU finance is an extraordinary value for students who complete.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest tracked program with 56 graduates. One-year earnings of $46,630 and four-year earnings of $69,226 are solid for a public commuter university. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 earns a B grade. Business graduates at NEIU compete across Chicago's diverse employer base in management, operations, and consulting entry roles. The low net price makes this credential one of the most financially accessible business degrees in Illinois.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 65.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 69.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 63.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 69.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 74.6% |
| Enrollment | 3,982 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 55.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,265 |
NEIU admitted 75% of applicants in available data, with no published standardized test score ranges. The institution functions as an open-access four-year option for Chicago-area students who may not have qualified for or chosen to attend more selective Illinois public universities. Many students arrive via community college transfer. The financial aid packaging is critical: NEIU's low tuition combined with Pell Grant eligibility produces very low net costs for many students, though individual aid offers vary significantly.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
NEIU's listed peers include Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, and University of Michigan-Flint — all access-oriented public institutions serving urban or regional non-traditional populations. Chicago State shares NEIU's access mission and North Side-adjacent location but has weaker aggregate earnings outcomes. Eastern Illinois serves a different rural Downstate market. Among Chicago-area four-year public institutions, NEIU's combination of extremely low debt and strong technology and business program earnings outcomes makes it a standout value for students who complete — despite the institution-wide completion challenge that depresses its overall ROI score.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Illinois University (this school) | 56 | $14,109 | $52,234 |
| University of Michigan-Flint | 56 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| Eastern Illinois University | 54 | $12,786 | $51,989 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 52 | $10,892 | $48,866 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | 52 | $32,654 | $65,703 |
| Chicago State University | 16 | $12,335 | $42,778 |
Who Thrives Here
NEIU is designed for non-traditional, working-adult, first-generation, and community college transfer students in Chicago's North Side and northwest suburbs. The 75% admission rate and absence of published test scores confirm a broad-access mission. With 56% of students receiving Pell Grants, NEIU is one of Illinois's most financially accessible four-year institutions. Students who thrive are self-motivated, often juggling work and family responsibilities, and benefit from NEIU's evening class scheduling and commuter-friendly services. Computer science, business, and accounting students will find the clearest financial returns.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Northeastern Illinois University is mixed. At $14,109 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $52,234 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.4 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 21.6% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $14,600 is very manageable against $52,234 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.