Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $34,136 put Northern Illinois University's Communication Disorders Sciences and Services program 34% above the national median of $25,392 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
With a 10.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Communication Disorders Sciences and Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $34,136 far exceeding the $16,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #47 ranking among 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs places Northern Illinois University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The $34,136-to-$53,628 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.