Marketing at Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University's marketing program delivers a standout financial outcome: graduates carry just $15,000 in debt—among the lowest 5% nationally for this major. That's $9,000 less than what Illinois marketing graduates typically owe and nearly $10,000 below the national median. For families concerned about student loan burden, this program offers meaningful affordability.

The earnings picture is more nuanced. First-year graduates earn $43,320, which lands at the Illinois median but trails the national average by about $1,400. More importantly, it sits well below what students at U of I ($69,273) or even Northern Illinois ($51,137) command. However, earnings climb 25% by year four to $54,120, suggesting steady career progression. Given that 54% of students receive Pell grants, this school is successfully serving lower-income students without saddling them with crushing debt.

The math works in favor of this program: with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, graduates can reasonably expect to pay off loans within a year or two of working. If your child is choosing between this program and pricier alternatives at Illinois State or Loyola—where debt loads would likely be higher—Northeastern Illinois makes financial sense, especially if staying in Chicago for career connections. Just understand they'll start slightly behind peers from more selective programs, though the gap narrows over time.