Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University delivers something rare: a liberal arts degree that actually pencils out financially. With $17,000 in debt—less than half the national typical burden for this program—and first-year earnings of $43,000, graduates face one of the lightest debt loads in the country (5th percentile nationally). That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.4 means most students could realistically pay off their loans within a couple years rather than dragging them through their twenties.

The earnings picture requires nuance. At 81st percentile nationally but 60th percentile in Illinois, this program overperforms compared to liberal arts degrees across America but sits in the middle of the pack for the state. The $42,976 starting salary slightly exceeds Illinois' median for this field, though it falls well short of what DePaul or Saint Xavier graduates earn. More concerning: earnings dip to $41,581 by year four, suggesting graduates may need to change jobs or pursue additional credentials to break through early career plateaus. Still, over half of students receive Pell grants, and for low-income students especially, graduating with minimal debt can matter more than maximizing starting salary.

For families prioritizing affordability over prestige, this program offers a legitimate path to a bachelor's degree without crushing debt. Just recognize your child will likely need hustle and additional skills to accelerate earnings beyond that $40,000-$42,000 range.