Northwestern University vs Illinois Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Illinois Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,700 in 2.2 years versus 2.8 years at Northwestern University, on median earnings of $82,592 vs $89,363 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northwestern University | Illinois Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,167 | $18,425 |
| Total net cost | $116,668 | $73,700 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $89,363 | $82,592 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 2.8 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $703,392 | $610,940 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Northwestern University or Illinois Institute of Technology?
Illinois Institute of Technology, at $18,425 a year after aid versus $29,167 — a gap of $10,742 a year, or $42,968 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Northwestern University or Illinois Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Northwestern University graduates report a median $89,363 ten years after entry, $6,771 more than the $82,592 at Illinois Institute of Technology. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Northwestern University or Illinois Institute of Technology?
Northwestern University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Illinois Institute of Technology, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
95% of students finish at Northwestern University, against 75% at Illinois Institute of Technology. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.