Career outcomes for Northwestern University graduates
Per-major median earnings and 10-year projection bands. Numbers come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (most recent release); trajectory bands come from the life-path model run server-side with a synthetic profile.
School-wide 10-year median earnings
$104,255
Median earnings of federally-aided graduates 10 years after first enrollment, across all majors at Northwestern University.
Top majors by graduates
| Major | Graduates / yr | Median earnings 4 years out | Work in Illinois 1 year out | Trajectory | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | 304 | $126,006 | 37% | Run mine | |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. |
Went on to a research doctorate
6.3per 100 bachelor's graduatesU.S. average: 2.0
From 2016 to 2025, 1,387 Northwestern University graduates earned a research doctorate, most often in engineering, biological and biomedical sciences, and social sciences.
Research doctorates (PhD, EdD and similar) only: medical, law and business degrees aren't counted. The rate divides those doctorates by the bachelor's degrees Northwestern University awarded from 2008 to 2017, allowing for the typical eight-year gap; fields with longer paths, like the humanities, read low. Source: NCSES Survey of Earned Doctorates and IPEDS completions.
Peer schools at this earnings band
Amherst College, MA
6 majors with data·$95,161
Barnard College, NY
7 majors with data·$98,280
Bates College, ME
2 majors with data·$98,373
See your own 10-year projection
The rows above use a synthetic profile (median household income, in-state residency). The life-path tool runs the same model on your actual income, family size, residency, and intended major.
Open the life-path toolShare
Earnings and graduate counts from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (most recent release). Last updated October 19, 2026. Methodology.