True College Verdict
D

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · 3,982 undergraduates · 57% receive Pell Grants · admits 75%
PublicMainly bachelor's degrees

Below average. Ask hard questions before enrolling. It ranks 941 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 46.6 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
Yes
Average net price $9,377 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $19,899.
Will most students finish?
About half
45% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 59%.
Is it worth the price?
Likely
Graduates owe a typical $15,000 against earnings of $56,278, a ratio of 0.27. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

What do students really think?

You have seen the federal numbers for Northeastern Illinois University. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.

Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.

Why it is good

  • Debt is manageable: graduates owe a typical $15,000 in federal loans against earnings of $56,278.
  • Affordable: the average student pays about $9,377 a year after grants, cheaper than 91% of four-year colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Only 45% of students graduate. 77% of four-year colleges do better.
  • Many students leave early: only 52% of first-year students return for a second year.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
45%
Better than 23% of similar colleges. Typical: 59%
Return for year 2
52%
Better than 6% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$56,278
Better than 43% of similar colleges. Typical: $58,912
Debt at graduation
$15,000
Better than 81% of similar colleges. Typical: $21,609
Net price per year
$9,377
Better than 91% of similar colleges. Typical: $19,899
Published tuition
$12,743
Out of state: $22,581

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Northeastern Illinois University, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:

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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.