Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at Northwestern University by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at Northwestern University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
23
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$70,351
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$87,804
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$956,068 | $108,516 | $87,804 | $17,063 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$895,214 | $105,307 | $87,804 | $14,600 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Industrial Engineering.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$686,162 | $95,078 | $87,804 | $17,912 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Computer Engineering.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$679,564 | $93,539 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$505,057 | $85,909 | $87,804 | $16,227 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Chemical Engineering.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$489,869 | $85,168 | $87,804 | $16,500 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$416,583 | $81,425 | $87,804 | $15,334 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Mathematics.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$312,279 | $76,013 | $87,804 | $12,418 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Community Organization and Advocacy.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$294,939 | $75,219 | $87,804 | $13,500 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Communication and Media Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$6,772 | $61,122 | $87,804 | $18,112 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Psychology, Other.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$17,036 | $59,494 | $87,804 | $11,630 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
International Relations and National Security Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$25,061 | $59,606 | $87,804 | $19,234 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Political Science and Government.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$105,001 | $55,447 | $87,804 | $16,834 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Journalism.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$135,255 | $53,833 | $87,804 | $15,333 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Psychology, General.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$220,131 | $49,533 | $87,804 | $14,500 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Public Policy Analysis.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$260,348 | $47,809 | $87,804 | $18,750 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
History.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$270,063 | $47,132 | $87,804 | $15,917 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Biology, General.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$287,376 | $46,191 | $87,804 | $14,800 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
English Language and Literature, General.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$340,967 | $43,563 | $87,804 | $15,564 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Sociology.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$357,381 | $42,675 | $87,804 | $14,567 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$462,781 | $37,468 | $87,804 | $15,500 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$551,986 | $33,109 | $87,804 | $17,000 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Music.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$591,040 | $31,235 | $87,804 | $18,166 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.