Best Master's Degree Programs at Northern Illinois University by ROI

Every Master's Degree major at Northern Illinois University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Doctoral Degree

Programs Analyzed

22

Majors with salary data

Average 20-Yr Net ROI

+$269,761

Across all programs

Average Annual Cost

$27,214

Cost of attendance

# Major 20-Yr Net ROI Median Salary Annual Cost Avg Debt
1 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$1,036,832 $96,563 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
2 Business Administration, Management and Operations.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$989,852 $94,214 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
3 Mechanical Engineering.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$858,272 $87,635 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
4 Management Information Systems and Services.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$632,572 $76,350 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
5 Computer Science.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$625,172 $75,980 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
6 Accounting and Related Services.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$560,772 $72,760 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
7 Law.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$277,932 $58,618 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
8 Educational/Instructional Media Design.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$270,812 $58,262 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
9 Public Administration.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$270,172 $58,230 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
10 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$264,252 $57,934 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
11 English Language and Literature, General.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$259,172 $57,680 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
12 Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$222,472 $55,845 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
13 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$155,832 $52,513 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
14 Special Education and Teaching.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$116,632 $50,553 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
15 Health and Physical Education/Fitness.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$95,192 $49,481 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
16 Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$54,552 $47,449 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
17 Educational Administration and Supervision.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$21,412 $45,792 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
18 Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.

Grad rate: 51.3%

+$8,892 $45,166 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
19 Communication and Media Studies.

Grad rate: 51.3%

-$42,048 $42,619 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
20 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.

Grad rate: 51.3%

-$148,008 $37,321 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
21 Fine and Studio Arts.

Grad rate: 51.3%

-$277,828 $30,830 $27,214 $0 Full ROI →
22 Music.

Grad rate: 51.3%

-$318,168 $28,813 $27,214 $0 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.