WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)0% vs national median237 grads tracked

Psychology at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 47th of 87 doctoral (research) programs in Psychology by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$71,785
middle 50%: $53,814 – $90,429
Median · 5 years out
$97,297
middle 50%: $79,897 – $116,473
Median · 10 years out
$107,201
middle 50%: $91,385 – $136,647

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of Northern Illinois University's doctoral (research) program in Psychology earn a median $71,785 one year after graduating, rising to $107,201 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 0% below the national median of $97,549 for this field, ranking 47th of 87 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
4.3 yrs
≈ $4,608 total interest

Same major at other universities

DePaul University
$98,926 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$98,450 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$98,259 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$97,725 · 5 yrs out
National Louis University
$97,592 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$97,549 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$97,191 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$97,180 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$96,701 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$96,422 · 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
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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