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Liberal Arts & Humanities at Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,426/yr (-21% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 10.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #306 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$534K	$534K	$510K
Earnings Multiple	10.5x	10.5x	10.0x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	27	35

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

$25,000

10.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$50,679

72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,426 per year, Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from Northern Illinois University earn below the $37,172 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 10.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 5%. Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

The $25,000 debt-to-$29,426 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #306 out of 424 programs, Northern Illinois University's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,426 to $50,679 over five years (72% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Northern Illinois University

With 70% of applicants admitted, Northern Illinois University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 11,277 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

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northern Illinois University

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

How does Northern Illinois University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?

This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Liberal Arts & Humanities earnings lower at Northern Illinois University?

Lower starting pay at Northern Illinois University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →