Master's+2% vs national median100 grads tracked
History at Northern Illinois University
Ranked 55th of 136 master's programs in History by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$50,129
middle 50%: $28,969 – $70,870
Median · 5 years out
$59,848
middle 50%: $43,047 – $80,624
Median · 10 years out
$83,086
middle 50%: $62,571 – $118,430
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for History (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Graduates of Northern Illinois University's master's program in History earn a median $50,129 one year after graduating, rising to $83,086 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $58,413 for this field, ranking 55th of 136 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
6.5 yrs
≈ $7,244 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$61,332 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$60,508 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$60,442 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University-Pueblo
$60,177 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$60,144 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Indiana State University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$59,517 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$59,253 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Brockport
$59,211 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$58,934 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Northern Illinois University
Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
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