Augustana vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Augustana based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 2,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Augustana vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or Northern Illinois? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Augustana ($14,243 vs. $24,714).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augustana College are 11.7% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,502 vs. $14,160).
• Augustana College is 289.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $38,350 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 289.5% higher at Augustana than at Northern Illinois University (about $38,350 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 172.8% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($39,242 vs. $14,387).

Augustana vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or Northern Illinois? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northern Illinois and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Augustana College (1150) is 90 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Augustana students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027; Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Augustana students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than Augustana (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Augustana vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and Northern Illinois? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.