Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at Northern Illinois University
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Northern Illinois University's Management Sciences program tells a tale of two benchmarks. While graduates earn about $11,000 less than the national median for this field, they're actually outearning most Illinois peers—landing at the 60th percentile statewide with first-year salaries around $51,000. Given that many Illinois students will choose in-state options for cost reasons, this middle-tier state performance matters more than the national comparison suggests.
The debt picture looks reasonable at $21,600, translating to a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable for a business-oriented degree. Earnings growth of 19% by year four pushes graduates past $60,000, suggesting the quantitative skills taught here gain value with experience. The moderate sample size means these numbers reflect a real cohort, not just a handful of outliers.
For families comparing Illinois options, NIU offers a pragmatic choice: not the premium salaries of U of I or North Central College, but solid mid-career trajectory at below-average debt. If your student isn't chasing the state's top programs and values affordability, this delivers predictable outcomes without excessive financial burden.
Where Northern Illinois University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Northern Illinois University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Northern Illinois University graduates earn $51k, placing them in the 25th percentile of all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors 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
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (20 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois University | $51,128 | $60,593 | $21,600 | 0.42 |
| North Central College | $85,168 | — | $26,851 | 0.32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $72,527 | $86,860 | $21,000 | 0.29 |
| National Louis University | $59,084 | $68,572 | $26,094 | 0.44 |
| Benedictine University | $58,820 | — | $25,000 | 0.43 |
| DePaul University | $51,522 | $62,488 | $24,500 | 0.48 |
| National Median | $62,069 | — | $23,250 | 0.37 |
Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Programs in Illinois
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Illinois schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central College Naperville | $44,394 | $85,168 | $26,851 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign | $16,004 | $72,527 | $21,000 |
| National Louis University Chicago | $12,345 | $59,084 | $26,094 |
| Benedictine University Lisle | $34,290 | $58,820 | $25,000 |
| DePaul University Chicago | $44,460 | $51,522 | $24,500 |
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.
Sample Size: Based on 99 graduates with reported earnings and 95 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.