Concordia University Chicago vs. Northeastern Illinois University

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

Concordia University Chicago Northeastern Illinois University
Location River Forest, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,354 5,756
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #706 #629
Religious Affiliation Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cuchicago.edu neiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Concordia University Chicago Northeastern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $33,944 $10,091
Tuition (Out of State) $33,944 $20,182
Room & Board $10,762 $10,742
Avg Net Price $18,832 $14,262
Avg Grant Aid $25,141 $15,143
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 85%

Admission

Concordia University Chicago Northeastern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,296 4,603
Admitted 3,997 2,886
Acceptance Rate 93% 62.7%
Enrolled % 6.7% 17.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.1
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 15/21
SAT Range 990/1180 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Concordia University Chicago Northeastern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (34%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Concordia University Chicago Northeastern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 60% 23%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,300 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,951 $14,500
Median Loan Payment $257 $149

Diversity

Concordia University Chicago Northeastern Illinois University
% Men 35% 39%
% Women 65% 61%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 54% 33%
% Black 13% 10%
% Hispanic 26% 37%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Concordia University Chicago Northeastern Illinois University
% In-State 62% 97%
% Out-of-State 38% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than Concordia University Chicago based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 5,354 students)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or Northeastern Illinois University?

  • Concordia University Chicago is 236.4% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($33,944.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 68.2% higher at Concordia University Chicago than Northeastern Illinois University ($33,944.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Concordia University Chicago ($14,262 vs. $18,832)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 0.2% lower than costs at Concordia University Chicago ($10,742 vs. $10,762)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Chicago than Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 66% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($25,141 vs. $15,143)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University Chicago 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 Concordia University Chicago .

  • The average SAT score at Concordia University Chicago (1047) is 177 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Concordia University Chicago students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Concordia University Chicago students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Concordia University Chicago vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Concordia University Chicago 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 Concordia University Chicago.

  • The graduation rate at Concordia University Chicago is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (60% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Concordia University Chicago earn on average $2,300 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $10,451 lower median federal student loan debt than Concordia University Chicago graduates. ($14,500 vs. $24,951)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $108 less per month on federal student loans than Concordia University Chicago graduates. ($149 vs. $257)
  • More Concordia University Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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