Law at Northern Illinois University
First Professional Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Northern Illinois University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Northern Illinois University graduates earn $58k, placing them in the 21th percentile of all law professional programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Law professional's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (10 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois University | $57,561 | $65,443 | — | — |
| Northwestern University | $210,979 | $227,792 | — | — |
| University of Chicago | $199,603 | $256,407 | — | — |
| Loyola University Chicago | $83,184 | $104,463 | — | — |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | $73,249 | $90,958 | — | — |
| DePaul University | $68,344 | $83,472 | — | — |
| National Median | $67,512 | — | — | — |
Other Law Programs in Illinois
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Illinois schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University Evanston | $65,997 | $210,979 | — |
| University of Chicago Chicago | $66,939 | $199,603 | — |
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago | $51,716 | $83,184 | — |
| Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago | $51,763 | $73,249 | — |
| DePaul University Chicago | $44,460 | $68,344 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Northern Illinois University, approximately 46% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.