Naperville, IL · Private University
Is North Central College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$60,123
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$44,394
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$44,394
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$177,576
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.35x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
71.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$23,033
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
North Central College graduates earn $15,123 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at North Central College ranked by graduate earnings
24 graduates
18 graduates
49 graduates
36 graduates
20 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at North Central College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At North Central College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $89,255) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $26,908) is $62,347/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $89,255 | 2.0x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $85,168 | 1.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,590 | 1.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $69,387 | 1.6x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $58,050 | 1.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,634 | 1.3x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $54,317 | 1.2x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $52,728 | 1.2x |
| Marketing | $50,335 | 1.1x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $49,783 | 1.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $49,126 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $48,368 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $48,074 | 1.1x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $47,107 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $46,972 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $46,021 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $34,270 | 0.8x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $29,594 | 0.7x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $26,908 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
North Central College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $60,123 10 years after starting, $15,123 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.