CSU vs. Northeastern Illinois University

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

 CSU Northeastern Illinois University
Location Chicago, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 2,317 5,756
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #870 #629
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csu.edu neiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU Northeastern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $7,656 $10,091
Tuition (Out of State) $7,656 $20,182
Room & Board $13,800 $10,742
Avg Net Price $6,446 $14,262
Avg Grant Aid $15,891 $15,143
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 85%

Admission

 CSU Northeastern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,404 4,603
Admitted 3,592 2,886
Acceptance Rate 48.5% 62.7%
Enrolled % 4.8% 17.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.1
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/19 15/21
SAT Range 750/963 810/1010
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

 CSU Northeastern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 CSU Northeastern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 21% 23%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,300 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,250 $14,500
Median Loan Payment $323 $149

Diversity

 CSU Northeastern Illinois University
% Men 33% 39%
% Women 67% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 3% 33%
% Black 75% 10%
% Hispanic 8% 37%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 12% 3%

Students

 CSU Northeastern Illinois University
% In-State 77% 97%
% Out-of-State 20% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 2,317 students)

CSU vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Northeastern Illinois University?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 31.8% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 163.6% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Chicago State University ($20,182.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than Northeastern Illinois University ($6,446 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 28.5% lower than costs at Chicago State University ($10,742 vs. $13,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Chicago State University than Northeastern Illinois University (93% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 4.9% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($15,891 vs. $15,143)

CSU vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU .

  • The average SAT score at Chicago State University (875) is 5 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming CSU students have at the same average ACT score (18) as students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (62.7%) than CSU (48.5%)

CSU vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at Northeastern Illinois University is higher than Chicago State University (23% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $1,700 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $38,300)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $16,750 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($14,500 vs. $31,250)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $174 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($149 vs. $323)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 25%)

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