Benedictine University vs. Northern Illinois

Should I go to Benedictine University or Northern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Benedictine 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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Benedictine University vs. Northern Illinois University comparison
Benedictine University Northern Illinois University College 3 College 4
Benedictine University Northern Illinois University
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Overview

Benedictine University Northern Illinois
Location Lisle, IL Dekalb, IL
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 3,123 15,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #560 #454
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ben.edu niu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Benedictine University Northern Illinois
Tuition (In State) $32,700 $9,790
Tuition (Out of State) $32,700 $9,790
Room & Board $10,266 $11,420
Avg Net Price $25,658 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $20,083 $12,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Benedictine University Northern Illinois
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,746 25,961
Admitted 2,557 18,348
Acceptance Rate 93.1% 70.7%
Enrolled % 16.6% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/28 19/25
SAT Range 1050/1280 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

Benedictine University Northern Illinois
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (45%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)

Outcomes

Benedictine University Northern Illinois
Graduation Rate 49% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,300 $23,859
Median Loan Payment $230 $246

Diversity

Benedictine University Northern Illinois
% Men 44% 46%
% Women 56% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 57%
% Black 9% 16%
% Hispanic 12% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 16% 1%

Students

Benedictine University Northern Illinois
% In-State 69% 93%
% Out-of-State 30% 5%

Campus

Benedictine 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 Benedictine University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 3,123 students)

Benedictine University vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

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

  • Benedictine University is 234% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($32,700.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 234% higher at Benedictine University than Northern Illinois University ($32,700.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Benedictine University ($13,884 vs. $25,658)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedictine University are 11.2% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,266 vs. $11,420)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Benedictine University as Northern Illinois University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Benedictine University students is 60% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($20,083 vs. $12,552)

Benedictine University vs. Northern Illinois Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Benedictine University (3.26)
  • Benedictine University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Benedictine University vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Benedictine 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 Benedictine University.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Benedictine University (56% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Benedictine University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates after ten years. ($52,800 vs. $47,600)
  • Benedictine University students graduate with a $1,559 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($22,300 vs. $23,859)
  • Benedictine University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($230 vs. $246)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedictine University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 56%)

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