Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,911/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Medium (10,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #27 of 37 Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $551K $544K $498K
Earnings Multiple 10.9x 10.7x 9.8x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 45% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$50,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,636
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,265
75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,911/yr, roughly in line with the $34,209 national median for Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,500 represents roughly 9 months of the $29,911 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #27 of 37 Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs, Northern Illinois University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $52,265 show a 75% jump from the $29,911 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University accepts 70% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 11,277 students in Dekalb, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Illinois University →

Top Career Paths

Dietitians and nutritionists $73,850/yr
Dietetic technicians $37,040/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at Northern Illinois University?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $498,438 in decade earnings vs $551,232 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →