Best Master's Degree Programs at Northwestern University by ROI
Every Master'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
29
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$1,051,049
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$87,804
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$3,409,232 | $221,242 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Business/Commerce, General.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$3,307,912 | $216,176 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Law.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$3,110,152 | $206,288 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$2,883,612 | $194,961 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Engineering-Related Fields.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$2,170,472 | $159,304 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Engineering, Other.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$2,075,512 | $154,556 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Medical Illustration and Informatics.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,630,892 | $132,325 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,586,872 | $130,124 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Community Organization and Advocacy.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,545,312 | $128,046 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,302,612 | $115,911 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,235,492 | $112,555 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Information Science/Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,214,772 | $111,519 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,210,632 | $111,312 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Science Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$1,210,452 | $111,303 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$762,092 | $88,885 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Communication and Media Studies.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$679,732 | $84,767 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Public Administration.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$471,072 | $74,334 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Public Health.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$371,872 | $69,374 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Medicine.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$338,272 | $67,694 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$326,792 | $67,120 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Educational Administration and Supervision.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$258,472 | $63,704 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$171,152 | $59,338 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$152,672 | $58,414 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$141,732 | $57,867 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
+$20,652 | $51,813 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 26 |
Journalism.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$22,088 | $49,676 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 27 |
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$100,028 | $45,779 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 28 |
Music.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$425,328 | $29,514 | $87,804 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 29 |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Grad rate: 96.2% |
-$560,548 | $22,753 | $87,804 | $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.