Blackburn College vs. Northeastern Illinois University

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

Blackburn College Northeastern Illinois University
Location Carlinville, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 382 5,756
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website blackburn.edu neiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Blackburn College Northeastern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $26,055 $10,091
Tuition (Out of State) $26,055 $20,182
Room & Board $9,020 $10,742
Avg Net Price $21,575 $14,262
Avg Grant Aid $14,112 $15,143
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 85%

Admission

Blackburn College Northeastern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 783 4,603
Admitted 504 2,886
Acceptance Rate 64.4% 62.7%
Enrolled % 21% 17.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.1
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/24 15/21
SAT Range 888/1125 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Blackburn College Northeastern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Blackburn College Northeastern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 48% 23%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $14,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $149

Diversity

Blackburn College Northeastern Illinois University
% Men 44% 39%
% Women 56% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 80% 33%
% Black 13% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 37%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Blackburn College Northeastern Illinois University
% In-State 70% 97%
% Out-of-State 30% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 382 students)

Blackburn College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Northeastern Illinois University?

  • Blackburn College is 158.2% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($26,055.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.1% higher at Blackburn College than Northeastern Illinois University ($26,055.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Blackburn College ($14,262 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 19.1% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($9,020 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Blackburn College than Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 7.3% larger than aid received Blackburn College ($15,143 vs. $14,112)

Blackburn College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Blackburn College (1005) is 135 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Blackburn College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • 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)
  • Blackburn College has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Blackburn College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Blackburn College or Northeastern Illinois University? 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 Northeastern Illinois University and Blackburn College.

  • The graduation rate at Blackburn College is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (48% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Blackburn College earn on average $400 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $11,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Blackburn College graduates. ($14,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $119 less per month on federal student loans 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/