Political Science and Government at Northeastern Illinois University

The small sample size here demands caution, but Northeastern Illinois's political science program shows a challenging first-year reality followed by meaningful recovery. Starting at just $25,912—well below both the state median of $34,418 and the national average—graduates face a difficult initial period even with relatively modest debt of $17,550. However, earnings jump substantially to $43,267 by year four, ultimately exceeding state and national benchmarks. This places the program in the 25th percentile within Illinois, trailing schools like UIC and DePaul but showing stronger growth than many competitors.

The debt-to-earnings picture is manageable given the relatively low borrowing amount, though the weak first-year outcomes mean graduates may struggle initially with repayment. The 67% earnings growth suggests that political science graduates from NEIU eventually find their footing in the Chicago job market, possibly through graduate school, career pivots, or gaining experience in fields like nonprofit work or government where early salaries are notoriously low.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether your student can weather those challenging first few years financially. If they're living at home or have other support systems, the eventual earnings trajectory looks more sustainable. But with over half of students on Pell grants, many graduates won't have that cushion—and the initial earnings gap matters significantly.