Economics at Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University's economics program sits in the middle of Illinois options but trails the national pack significantly. First-year earnings of $40,004 fall nearly $12,000 below the national median for economics graduates, placing this program at just the 10th percentile nationally—though it performs better relative to other Illinois schools at the 40th percentile. The estimated $25,000 debt burden (based on comparable programs at similar Illinois institutions) translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62, which is manageable but requires that starting salary to grow.

The silver lining here is trajectory: earnings jump 39% to $55,396 by year four, suggesting graduates find their footing after initially modest beginnings. This pattern makes sense at a school where 54% of students receive Pell grants—many graduates may be building networks and credentials from scratch rather than leveraging existing advantages. However, even that four-year mark leaves graduates earning less than peers from top Illinois programs make in year one. The gap between Northeastern's outcomes and places like Northwestern ($85K) or even U of I Urbana-Champaign ($59K) is substantial.

For families prioritizing affordability and access, this program offers a path into economics without crushing debt. But if your child has options at higher-performing Illinois schools, the earnings difference—$17,000 annually compared to the state median—compounds significantly over a career and may justify additional investment elsewhere.