Blackburn College vs. Northeastern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern Illinois University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (5,734 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Northeastern Illinois University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Northeastern Illinois University 9:1.

Blackburn College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University than Blackburn College ($14,140 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 4.6% lower than at Northeastern Illinois University ($9,915 vs. $10,390).
• Blackburn College is 127.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern Illinois University (about $15,766 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $12,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.9% higher at Blackburn College than at Northeastern Illinois University (about $5,423 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $22,726.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 51.1% larger than aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students ($19,456 vs. $12,876).

Blackburn College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 100 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (910).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at Northeastern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Northeastern Illinois University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1).
• Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (74.6%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University.

Blackburn College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University's (23%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($14,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($149 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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.