Finance and Financial Management Services at Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University's finance program delivers one of the state's lowest debt burdens—just $12,502, compared to the Illinois median of $23,912—but graduates start well behind their peers at $48,807. That's about $5,000 below the state median and roughly $15,000 less than what graduates from comparable Chicago schools like DePaul and Loyola typically earn. At the 40th percentile among Illinois finance programs, this lands in the bottom half of the state's options.

The positive story here is trajectory and accessibility. Earnings jump 25% by year four to nearly $61,000, which approaches what graduates at higher-ranked programs earn initially. More importantly, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 is exceptionally favorable—you'd pay off less than three months of first-year salary in total debt. With 54% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves students who might face significant financial barriers elsewhere, and the low debt load makes it possible to build wealth even with modest starting salaries.

For families prioritizing financial safety over prestige, this program makes sense: your child graduates with minimal debt and catches up to peers within a few years. But if immediate earning potential matters—especially in expensive Chicago—stronger options exist in-state, even if they come with more debt.