Concordia University Chicago vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, 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 Concordia University Chicago based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 4,770 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Concordia University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Chicago 13:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago 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 Concordia University Chicago ($14,243 vs. $19,073).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 18.7% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,510 vs. $14,160).
• Concordia University Chicago is 183% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $24,240 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 183% higher at Concordia University Chicago than at Northern Illinois University (about $24,240 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Concordia University Chicago (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 83.2% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($26,361 vs. $14,387).

Concordia University Chicago vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Chicago (1090) is 30 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Concordia University Chicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Northern Illinois (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - 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 Concordia University Chicago (3.18).
• Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago 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).

• Concordia University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,092 lower median loan debt than Concordia University Chicago graduates ($23,859 vs. $24,951).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University Chicago graduates ($246 vs. $257).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University Chicago students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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.