CSU vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

CSU vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Chicago State University than Northern Illinois ($10,441 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 18.4% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,550 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $494 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Northern Illinois than at Chicago State University (about $494 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Northern Illinois University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 26.5% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($18,194 vs. $14,387).

CSU vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 200 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

CSU vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $7,391 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($23,859 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($246 vs. $323).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 25%)

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.