Bachelor's+6% vs national median1,331 grads tracked
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Northern Illinois University
Ranked 72nd of 266 bachelor's programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$41,891
middle 50%: $29,493 – $61,141
Median · 5 years out
$57,858
middle 50%: $40,964 – $80,153
Median · 10 years out
$71,232
middle 50%: $50,682 – $98,500
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
This degree program yields a median starting salary of $42k. By year ten, graduates earn a median of $71k.
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
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,251 total interest
Same major at other universities
Saint Olaf College
$58,609 · 5 yrs out
Albertus Magnus College
$58,574 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$58,412 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
$58,032 · 5 yrs out
West Texas A&M University
$58,024 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University Northwest
$57,991 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
$57,696 · 5 yrs out
Southern Connecticut State University
$57,656 · 5 yrs out
University of Mary Washington
$57,642 · 5 yrs out
University of Richmond
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
Shawnee State University
$57,496 · 5 yrs out
University of Indianapolis
$57,372 · 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