Economics
Bachelor's degree · Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL
$45,386Median earnings 1 year after graduating
$66,760Median earnings 4 years after
$69,275Median earnings 5 years after
$24,976Median federal debt
16Graduates per year
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Economics at Northern Illinois University earn a median of $45,386 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $82,686 four years after graduating (middle half: $58,184–$116,323). Median debt is $24,976, about 55% of first-year earnings.
Economics (Bachelor's degree) at other Illinois schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago Chicago | $92,075 | $13,395 |
| Northwestern University Evanston | $84,932 | $15,250 |
| Wheaton College Wheaton | $62,889 | $21,000 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign | $58,921 | $19,500 |
| Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais | $54,169 | $26,991 |
| Lake Forest College Lake Forest | $53,529 | $27,000 |
| North Central College Naperville | $52,728 | $26,801 |
| Monmouth College Monmouth | $47,048 | — |
| Illinois State University Normal | $44,015 | $15,000 |
| Northeastern Illinois University Chicago | $40,004 | — |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale | $37,798 | $21,201 |
| University of Illinois Chicago Chicago | $37,767 | $17,500 |
| DePaul University Chicago | $37,151 | $20,000 |
| Knox College Galesburg | $23,222 | $24,498 |
Other programs at Northern Illinois University
- TaxationMaster's degree
$113,734 - Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingMaster's degree
$107,425 - Mechanical EngineeringMaster's degree
$96,253 - Psychology, GeneralDoctoral degree
$86,837 - Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's degree
$85,140 - Engineering-Related FieldsMaster's degree
$81,686 - Computer ScienceBachelor's degree
$77,257 - Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's degree
$75,557 - Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringBachelor's degree
$74,442 - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsDoctoral degree
$74,259 - Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralMaster's degree
$72,505 - Industrial EngineeringBachelor's degree
$72,112 - Accounting and Related ServicesMaster's degree
$71,477 - Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsBachelor's degree
$70,654 - Educational/Instructional Media DesignMaster's degree
$68,913 - Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's degree
$68,069 - Accounting and Related ServicesBachelor's degree
$63,743 - Educational Administration and SupervisionMaster's degree
$63,264 - Public AdministrationMaster's degree
$62,849 - Engineering Technologies/Technicians, GeneralBachelor's degree
$62,117
Frequently asked questions
How much do Economics graduates from Northern Illinois University make?
The median salary is $45,386 one year after graduation and $69,275 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $24,976.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.