Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University is a public university in Chicago, IL, with about 4,492 students on campus and 1,012 more studying only online.
What to know about Northeastern Illinois University
A low price for what graduates go on to earn
After aid, Northeastern Illinois University costs $14,109 a year, less than 76% of 4-year colleges. Ten years after starting, former students earn a median $52,234, more than at 75% of colleges. Outcomes ↓
A lower graduation rate than at most 4-year colleges
Only 22% of students graduate within six years, fewer than at 93% of 4-year colleges. 52% of first-year students come back for a second year. Outcomes ↓
Most undergraduates are Hispanic
52% of Northeastern Illinois University’s undergraduates are Hispanic. The students ↓
What you study here makes a big difference to pay
Among Northeastern Illinois University’s biggest bachelor’s programs, computer science graduates earn a median $88,917 four years out. Communication and media studies graduates earn $48,247. Majors ↓
This summary is written from the data on this page. Figures are from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard; price, graduation and earnings include online students.
Do students finish, and does it pay off?
Debt vs. the paycheck
The typical loan payment as a share of a typical graduate’s monthly pay six years after starting
$155 a month against about $3,650 a month in pay.
Paying back loans
Federal student loans, this college
of borrowers paid down at least some of their loan within three years, more than at 69% of U.S. colleges.
Almost none defaulted within three years (payments on federal loans were paused from 2020 to 2023, so recent default rates are near zero everywhere).
Earnings by family background
Median earnings 10 years after starting, by family income at enrollment
How hard is it to get into Northeastern Illinois University?
of applicants admitted
About 15 of every 20 applicants get in.
Test scores of admitted students
No SAT or ACT ranges reported. Northeastern Illinois University is likely test-optional.
The sticker price, and what families really pay
Sticker price: $26,960 a year
Before any grants · out-of-state tuition $22,726
After grants, the average family on aid pays $14,109.
Your family’s price
Average net price after grants, by family income
About $60,308 over 4 years · 44% off the sticker price
What students study, and what it pays
Share of degrees by field
Bachelor’s programs with the most graduates
And their graduates’ median earnings four years later (one year where that’s all that’s reported).
The students
3,982 degree-seeking undergraduates.
By race and ethnicity
Women and men
Living in Chicago
7% of Chicago’s 2,731,585 residents are enrolled in college. What the town is like, from TownRatings’ Chicago pages.
Other colleges within 30 miles
Straight-line distances from Northeastern Illinois University; colleges with 100 or more students on campus.
Ask around
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (institution and field-of-study files) and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023); town figures from the Census American Community Survey and NOAA climate normals. Graduation rates count first-time, full-time students; earnings and debt are for students who received federal aid. Distances are straight-line. Colleges are described, not graded (how TownRatings describes colleges). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.