Blackburn College vs. National Louis University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with National Louis University in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

National Louis University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (8,915 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); National Louis University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. National Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; National Louis University 17:1.

Blackburn College vs. National Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or National Louis University? 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 National Louis University than Blackburn College ($13,150 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 32.6% lower than at National Louis University ($9,915 vs. $14,700).
• Blackburn College is 121.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than National Louis University (about $15,444 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.6% higher at Blackburn College than at National Louis University (about $15,444 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at National Louis University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 76% larger than aid received by National Louis University students ($19,456 vs. $11,056).

Blackburn College vs. National Louis University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or National Louis University? 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 National Louis University and Blackburn College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; National Louis University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at National Louis University (2.8).
• National Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 18.4% at National Louis University.

Blackburn College vs. National Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and National Louis University? 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).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than National Louis University's (26%).
• Graduates from National Louis University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, National Louis University graduates have a $6,163 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($19,837 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, National Louis University graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($205 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 44%)

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.