Average starting salary is one indicator of Northwestern University’s value to its graduates. Labor market and economic trends influence starting salaries for college graduates. Additionally, academic major, career preparedness as well as marketing and negotiation skills of graduates also influence starting salaries of college graduates.

Highlights of Salary Results

Starting Salaries of 2005 Graduates by Type of Degree in 2005 and 2004

Starting Salaries of 2005 Bachelor Degree Graduates by School of Enrollment

Starting Salaries of 2005 Master’s Degree Graduates by School of Enrollment

Starting Salaries of 2005 Graduates by School of Enrollment and Major

Starting Salaries of 2005 Graduates by Major compared to National Averages

Starting Salaries of 2005 Graduates by Job Function compared to National Averages

Highlights of Salary Results

The preponderance of Northwestern University graduates’ self-reported average starting salaries are above the national averages as reported by the 181 colleges and universities from across the country to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Salary Survey report.

1. Consultants earn on average 37% above the national average: NU = $52,993 and NACE = $47,780
2. Engineers earn on average 18% above the national average. Industrial Engineers fared the best earning 55% above the national average. Additionally, graduates working in Information Technology jobs earned 22% above the national average at $64,269 annual salary.
3. The majority of graduates from the School of Communication experienced higher than average starting salaries ranging from 3 to 140% above national average.
4. NU graduates working in Finance including commercial banking, investment banking, analysts, trader and sales received salaries that were 13 – 35% above national averages.
5. Scientists, social service practitioners and therapists also earned salaries that were 6% to 26% above the national averages.
6. Graduates in management, operations, and compliance, risk and legal services earned starting salaries that were 11 - 46% above the national average.

Starting Salaries of 2005 Graduates by Type of Degree in 2005 and 2004 (PDF)
NU starting salaries increased moderately in 2005 from 2004 levels. Doctoral graduates enjoyed the highest increase of 7% in 2005 ($67,402) from 2004 salaries ($63,157).  Bachelor Degree graduates earned on average $43,613 a 2% increase from 2004 levels. Master’s Degree graduates earned on average $54,789 a 1% increase from 2004 master level salaries. (The following text could be in a box to the left or somewhere on the pdf link)… The variance of starting salaries within each degree level is striking. Bachelor level salaries had the highest variance with salaries ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Master degree starting salaries had over a $100,000 variance ranging from $27,000 to $130,000. Doctoral level salaries ranged from $28,000 to $195,000.

Starting Salaries of 2005 Bachelor Degree Graduates by School of Enrollment (PDF)

Starting Salaries of 2005 Master’s Degree Graduates by School of Enrollment (PDF)

The following links highlight average starting salaries by academic major and job function. Starting salary information is self-reported from graduates and is not verified by employers. University Career Services experts caution using salary information where number of respondents is less than five. Career practitioners warn against using average starting salaries solely as a career decision factor and encourage the use of multiple resources to help students make career choices. UCS services include career counseling/advising, career exploration resources, employer feedback, alumni contacts, workshops and research tools such as O-Net, Vault and Wet Feet.

Starting Salaries of 2005 Graduates by School of Enrollment and Major
Sample list of employer names and job titles are included with the average starting salary by major by school.

School of Communication (PDF)
School of Education and Social Policy (PDF)
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science (PDF)
Medill School of Journalism (PDF)
School of Music (PDF)
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (PDF)

Starting Salaries of 2005 Graduates by Major compared to National Averages (PDF)
Average starting salaries are available for a few select majors where comparisons to other institutions can be made using NACE data.

Starting Salaries of 2005 Graduates by Job Function compared to National Averages (PDF)
Starting salaries by job function is the best comparative strategy to understand and negotiate value.

Employers participating in On-Campus Recruiting Program report starting salaries accepted by Northwestern students and graduates (PDF)
Employers completing the survey from University Career Services were predominantly in the finance, consulting, consumer products, engineering and information technology industries because these employers are the central users of the On-Campus Recruiting Program, a focused service primarily for employers that hire graduates annually into structured programs. There were 39 unique employers providing information about 135 students and graduates accepting job offers.