Human Resources Management and Services at Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University's HR program stands out for one crucial reason: graduates carry just $15,365 in debt—less than half the national median and dramatically below the $27,000 typical for Illinois HR programs. This 95th percentile debt ranking means families avoid the $25,000+ burden common at most comparable schools.

The tradeoff? Starting salaries of $49,131 sit slightly below both state and national medians, placing this program around the 40th percentile in Illinois. You're looking at about $2,600 less annually than the typical Illinois HR graduate earns. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 is exceptionally favorable—graduates can realistically pay off their loans within a year of focused payments, unlike peers elsewhere who face double that burden.

For families prioritizing affordability, particularly the 54% of students here receiving Pell grants, this represents a low-risk entry into HR careers. The earnings gap versus top Illinois programs like Benedictine ($83,475) is substantial, but so is the difference in financial exposure. If your child can secure one of those higher-tier programs, the earnings premium justifies consideration. But Northeastern offers something valuable: an HR credential that won't chain graduates to years of debt payments, giving them financial flexibility early in their careers. For cost-conscious families, that freedom is worth more than the salary spreadsheet suggests.