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Is Northern Illinois University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Northern Illinois, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
Northern Illinois lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $22,162 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $57,808, but the margin is not huge. For context, Northern Illinois's net price is about 3% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$13,533
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $379 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $2,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$13,391
Median earnings 10 years out
$57,808
Median debt at graduation
$22,162
Graduation rate
49%
At Northern Illinois, a typical graduate carries about $22,162 in student debt and earns roughly $57,808 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $252 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Northern Illinois is a public four year school in Dekalb, IL. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
Worth-It Score: 69/100
Median net price: $13,297
Public 4-year
Western Illinois
Macomb, IL
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $12,937
Public 4-year
Eastern Illinois
Charleston, IL
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $12,786
Public 4-year
Northeastern Illinois
Chicago, IL
Worth-It Score: 58/100
Median net price: $14,109
Public 4-year
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Worth-It Score: 88/100
Median net price: $14,355
Common questions about Northern Illinois
The median net price at Northern Illinois is $13,391 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Illinois? See the most affordable public universities in Illinois →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →