Home › Northeastern Illinois University › History

History at Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,102/yr (21% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #129 of 389 History programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to History graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $468K $471K $446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.5x 9.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.2x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,532
Out-of-state: $90,904 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,200
-9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,591
11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,102 per year, History graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn slightly above the $32,281 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

A 9.5x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $15,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #129 ranking among 389 History programs places Northeastern Illinois University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $39,102 to $43,591 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Northeastern Illinois University

With 70% of applicants admitted, Northeastern Illinois University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 3,869 students in Chicago, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 54% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern Illinois University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
History teachers, postsecondary $81,500/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 389 schools offering History →

History at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($61,127) Duke University ($60,750) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($57,239) Amherst College ($56,444) Yale University ($54,700) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,828) Harvard University ($53,468) Northwestern University ($50,161)

Other Majors at Northeastern Illinois University

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($63,615) Computer Science ($62,831) Accounting and Related Services ($50,475) Human Resources Management and Services ($49,131) Finance and Financial Management Services ($48,807) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,630) Business/Commerce, General ($45,015) Marketing ($43,320)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at Northeastern Illinois University?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring History programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study History at Northeastern Illinois University?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →