WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+20% vs national median855 grads tracked

Education at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 14th of 135 doctoral (research) programs in Education by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$112,207
middle 50%: $84,154 – $147,563
Median · 5 years out
$119,874
middle 50%: $90,149 – $158,686
Median · 10 years out
$126,535
middle 50%: $83,042 – $169,749

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Education (doctoral (research)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Northern Illinois University's doctoral (research) program in Education earn a median $112,207 one year after graduating, rising to $126,535 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 20% above the national median of $100,245 for this field, ranking 14th of 135 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
2.9 yrs
≈ $3,012 total interest

Same major at other universities

Bethel University
$131,944 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
$131,137 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Clear Lake
$123,847 · 5 yrs out
University of Saint Thomas
$122,487 · 5 yrs out
Benedictine University
$121,052 · 5 yrs out
Youngstown State University
$120,396 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$119,554 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Hamline University
$116,180 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$114,330 · 5 yrs out
Olivet Nazarene University
$114,306 · 5 yrs out
Chicago State University
$113,931 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northern Illinois University

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$92,521 · 5 yrs out

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