Fine and Studio Arts at Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University's Fine and Studio Arts program outperforms most of its peers nationally but tells a more complicated story within Illinois. While first-year earnings of $30,845 place this program in the 84th percentile nationally—well above the typical $24,742—it sits closer to the middle of the pack among Illinois programs at the 60th percentile. That matters for in-state students comparing options, as they're competing with stronger in-state alternatives like Illinois State ($35,967) and SIU-Carbondale ($33,285).

The financial fundamentals look solid: graduates carry $20,319 in debt—about $5,000 less than both state and national medians—and see meaningful earnings growth to $43,277 by year four. That 40% income trajectory is particularly encouraging for an arts degree, where career development often takes time. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 means graduates owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden even in a notoriously challenging field.

The critical caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. Still, for families weighing cost against outcomes, this program offers below-average debt with above-average national earnings. It won't match the top Illinois programs, but it serves a majority-Pell student body while keeping debt reasonable—a meaningful achievement for an arts degree in an expensive metro area.