<p>Is it true that being involved in NU's co-op program can earn you $50,000 - $80,000 per year?</p>
<p>Sounds unlikely. When we visited Northeastern, they stated that their highest paid co-op students (CS/Engineering students) earn around $20/hour, which works out to about $20K for 6 months of work. Most Northeastern co-ops earn $10-$15/hour. I’m guessing that that’s typical for co-op programs everywhere. It’s possible that there are one or two exceptional co-op jobs where a student would earn much more, but I would not believe anyone telling you those numbers are typical, without some evidence.</p>
<p>Your title refers to Northwestern but are you talking about Northeastern? I would guess so since NorthEASTERN has a well established coop program.</p>
<p>It is unlikely you will earn $50k per year. BUT you might earn enough to offset a good portion of your expenses for the next term. A lot depends on where your coop jobs are. If you are in Boston and still have to pay for Boston housing, you might not net a lot in extra cash, but you WILL net some very good experience for your resume.</p>
<p>If you are able to secure a coop job where you can live at home or with relatives at no or low cost, then your salary from your coop job will go further.</p>
<p>Northwestern also has a well-established co-op program - and my D participated. AFAIC, she did make @ $20 per hour. However, because of the program structure, the dollars earned are spread out over the years, which would preclude anyone making 50-80K per year.</p>
<p>Beginning in her third year, participants work a quarter, then go to school a quarter, then work 2 quarters, then back to school, etc.</p>
<p>The dollars she earned also negatively affected the amount of her grant dollars, so overall it was a wash for the years she earned income from the co-op program.</p>
<p>However, she liked the program, and was nominated for the Co-Op Student of The Year, and now working happily in her field. She is not with the company she co-oped with, but the she lessons learned and the experience she gained were valuable and helpful to her and her current employer.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insights! thumper1: no, I’m talking about NorthWESTERN. They have, from what I hear, an excellent co-op program right in Chicago. I have no interest in living in Boston whatsoever.</p>
<p>Great…I learned something new too!! Good to hear NorthWESTERN has a good coop program too!</p>
<p>I’ll add…students who graduate from NU would be happy to have full time jobs paying $50$80K…I don’t think a coop job will pay quite that much. BUT you will get valuable experience and you will also earn some money to help with costs.</p>
<p>My husband did a coop program in engineering at his university. He worked for a great company. He earned enough in salary each coop term to pay his tuition for the following term…and the company gave him a nice “bonus check” that was to be used for engineering books every term he worked for them (he worked for the same company four coop terms). AND they also hired him for his first job.</p>