Aurora University vs. Northern Illinois

Should I go to Aurora University or Northern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Aurora University or Northern Illinois is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Aurora University vs. Northern Illinois University comparison
Aurora University Northern Illinois University College 3 College 4
Aurora University Northern Illinois University
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Overview

Aurora University Northern Illinois
Location Aurora, IL Dekalb, IL
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 5,918 15,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #851 #454
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aurora.edu niu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Aurora University Northern Illinois
Tuition (In State) $27,200 $9,790
Tuition (Out of State) $27,200 $9,790
Room & Board $12,360 $11,420
Avg Net Price $19,350 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $19,830 $12,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Aurora University Northern Illinois
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,922 25,961
Admitted 2,393 18,348
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 70.7%
Enrolled % 28.1% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 980/1198 940/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Aurora University Northern Illinois
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)

Outcomes

Aurora University Northern Illinois
Graduation Rate 44% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,900 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,337 $23,859
Median Loan Payment $230 $246

Diversity

Aurora University Northern Illinois
% Men 29% 46%
% Women 71% 54%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 56% 57%
% Black 8% 16%
% Hispanic 25% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

Aurora University Northern Illinois
% In-State 84% 93%
% Out-of-State 15% 5%

Campus

Aurora University Northern Illinois
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Aurora University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 5,918 students)

Aurora University vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Aurora University or Northern Illinois?

  • Aurora University is 177.8% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($27,200.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 177.8% higher at Aurora University than Northern Illinois University ($27,200.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Aurora University ($13,884 vs. $19,350)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 8.2% lower than costs at Aurora University ($11,420 vs. $12,360)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Aurora University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aurora University students is 58% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($19,830 vs. $12,552)

Aurora University vs. Northern Illinois Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Aurora University or Northern Illinois? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northern Illinois or Aurora University .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 39 points higher than at Aurora University (990)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Aurora University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Aurora University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Aurora University has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Aurora University vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Aurora University or Northern Illinois? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northern Illinois and Aurora University.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Aurora University (56% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $4,700 more per year than Aurora University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $42,900)
  • Aurora University students graduate with a $1,522 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($22,337 vs. $23,859)
  • Aurora University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($230 vs. $246)
  • More Aurora University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/