Northern Illinois University

What are the graduation rates for students at Northern Illinois University?

Northern Illinois University has overall graduation rates that place it in the lower range compared to other institutions. The general graduation rate stands at 50%, which reflects that half of the students complete their programs within an expected timeframe. This rate is considered average but falls in the bottom 40% when benchmarked against peer schools.

The difference in graduation outcomes between genders is evident, though both remain in a similar performance bracket. Male students graduate at a rate of 44%, while the rate for female students is higher, at 54%. Both percentages are described as average but are ranked in the bottom third of national percentiles for graduation success.

Looking specifically at graduation within standard durations, only 33% of students earn their degree within four years. This statistic highlights challenges in on-time completion for many undergraduates. The six-year graduation rate improves to 50%, indicating that an additional proportion of students require more time beyond the traditional four years but eventually finish their studies.

Retention rates, which measure the percentage of first-time students who continue at the university after their first year, stand at 70%. Although this is classified as an average rate, it still places Northern Illinois University in the lower 35% of institutions nationwide. This retention metric provides insight into initial student satisfaction and academic persistence but suggests room for improvement.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Northern Illinois University?

Graduates from Northern Illinois University have varied earning potentials depending on their chosen field of study. Among the highest earners are those with degrees in engineering disciplines such as Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Engineering Technology, with salaries ranging from approximately $54,000 to over $70,000. Computer Science graduates also fare well, with an average earning of around $58,306.

Degrees in nursing and medical laboratory sciences offer strong financial prospects as well, with Registered Nursing graduates earning about $61,111 and Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science graduates around $54,062. Business-related fields also show promising results, including Accounting and Related Services at $53,726, Finance and Financial Management Services at $53,625, and Business Administration, Management and Operations at $48,290.

Teacher education offers moderate earning potential. For example, Special Education and Teaching graduates earn approximately $40,969, while those focusing on specific subject areas or levels in teacher education make around $38,000 to $40,364. Mathematics graduates earn notably well, with an average of about $45,025.

Other disciplines such as Communication and Media Studies, Marketing, and Management Sciences see mid-range earnings from roughly $34,000 to $45,000. Graduates in liberal arts, including Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Sociology, and History typically earn between $31,000 and $35,000. Degrees in Psychology and Human Services tend to have lower early career salaries ranging from about $28,000 to under $30,000.

Fields like Apparel and Textiles and Hospitality Administration offer average earnings between $39,000 and $43,000, reflecting moderate income levels for those completing these programs.