Finance and Financial Management Services at Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University's finance program punches above its weight for an institution with a 70% admission rate, landing graduates in the 60th percentile for Illinois—a state dominated by Chicago's financial services industry. With first-year earnings of $54,802 and healthy 22% growth to nearly $67,000 by year four, graduates are outearning the state median while carrying significantly less debt than typical Illinois finance majors ($19,500 vs. $23,912 statewide).

The debt picture is particularly favorable. At just 36% of first-year earnings, student loans are manageable even if graduates don't land in Chicago's higher-paying finance roles immediately. This is a real advantage for a program serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (46%). While top programs like U of I Urbana-Champaign place graduates at $75,000, they also typically come with higher price tags and more competitive admissions.

The moderate sample size means year-to-year outcomes could vary, but the fundamentals are solid: reasonable debt, above-average earnings for Illinois, and consistent growth trajectory. For families prioritizing affordability alongside access to legitimate finance careers—especially those considering public universities—this represents a sensible path into the field without the debt burden that often accompanies it.