Analysis
Northeastern Illinois University's history program punches well above its weight, with graduates earning $39,102 in their first year—25% more than the national median for history majors and significantly ahead of the state median. Among Illinois history programs, it sits in the 60th percentile, trailing only the elite privates and a few flagship campuses. That's impressive for a university serving a predominantly working-class student body (54% receive Pell grants).
The debt picture makes this program especially attractive. At $19,176, graduates carry about $5,000 less debt than typical history majors nationwide and $3,300 less than the Illinois median. The 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary—manageable territory that allows meaningful loan payments without financial strain. While earnings growth is modest at 5% over four years, the starting point is strong enough that fourth-year earnings ($41,203) remain competitive.
For families concerned about the value of a humanities degree, this program offers an answer: moderate debt, solid earning potential from day one, and outcomes that rival much more expensive options. The results suggest NEIU's location in Chicago and its connections to the city's employers translate into genuine career opportunities for history graduates.
Where Northeastern Illinois University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all history bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Northeastern Illinois University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Illinois University | $39,102 | $41,203 | +5% |
| University of Chicago | $46,616 | $65,148 | +40% |
| Northwestern University | $50,161 | $60,884 | +21% |
| Loyola University Chicago | $31,079 | $58,572 | +88% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $26,436 | $49,323 | +87% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
History bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (47 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago | $12,383 | $39,102 | $41,203 | $19,176 | 0.49 |
 Northwestern UniversityEvanston | $65,997 | $50,161 | $60,884 | $15,917 | 0.32 |
 University of ChicagoChicago | $66,939 | $46,616 | $65,148 | — | — |
 Illinois State UniversityNormal | $16,021 | $40,465 | $44,568 | $23,125 | 0.57 |
 DePaul UniversityChicago | $44,460 | $36,889 | $48,623 | $27,000 | 0.73 |
 University of Illinois SpringfieldSpringfield | $12,252 | $33,297 | $39,070 | $23,892 | 0.72 |
| National Median | — | $31,220 | — | $24,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with history graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
History Teachers, Postsecondary
Historians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Archivists
Curators
Museum Technicians and Conservators
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Northeastern Illinois University, approximately 54% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 32 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.