DePaul vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

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

DePaul University is larger than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 15,414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

DePaul vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul 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 DePaul ($14,243 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 25.8% lower than at DePaul University ($14,160 vs. $19,095).
• DePaul University is 247.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $32,751 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 247.2% higher at DePaul than at Northern Illinois University (about $32,751 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePaul University students is 103.6% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($29,285 vs. $14,387).

DePaul vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul 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 DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 180 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• DePaul has a higher acceptance rate (75.9%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

DePaul vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul 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).

• DePaul University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $527 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($23,332 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($241 vs. $246).
• More DePaul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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.