Blackburn College vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Blackburn College vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois University than Blackburn College ($14,243 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 30% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($9,915 vs. $14,160).
• Blackburn College is 112.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $14,901 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.5% higher at Blackburn College than at Northern Illinois University (about $14,901 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 35.2% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($19,456 vs. $14,387).

Blackburn College vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 50 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Blackburn College vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Northern Illinois? 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).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $2,141 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($23,859 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($246 vs. $268).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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.