EIU vs. Northeastern Illinois University

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

 EIU Northeastern Illinois University
Location Charleston, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 8,804 5,504
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #714 #736
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu neiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 EIU Northeastern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $9,903 $10,343
Tuition (Out of State) $12,379 $20,686
Room & Board $11,298 $10,742
Avg Net Price $14,621 $14,669
Avg Grant Aid $11,122 $12,560
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 85%

Admission

 EIU Northeastern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,648 8,481
Admitted 7,892 5,971
Acceptance Rate 67.8% 70.4%
Enrolled % 10.4% 9.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21
SAT Range 890/1110 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2026

Academics

 EIU Northeastern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 EIU Northeastern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 59% 23%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $14,500
Median Loan Payment $244 $149

Diversity

 EIU Northeastern Illinois University
% Men 10% 9%
% Women 12% 18%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 33%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 37%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

 EIU Northeastern Illinois University
% In-State 90% 98%
% Out-of-State 7% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (8,804 students vs. 5,504 students)

EIU vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

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

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 4.4% more expensive to attend than EIU for in-state tuition ($10,343.00 vs. $9,903.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.1% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Eastern Illinois University ($20,686.00 vs. $12,379.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than Northeastern Illinois University ($14,621 vs. $14,669)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 5.2% lower than costs at Eastern Illinois University ($10,742 vs. $11,298)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Northeastern Illinois University (97% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 12.9% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($12,560 vs. $11,122)

EIU vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU .

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Illinois University (1010) is 140 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming EIU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (70.4%) than EIU (67.8%)

EIU vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU 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 EIU.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (59% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $3,500 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $9,150 lower median federal student loan debt than EIU graduates. ($14,500 vs. $23,650)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $95 less per month on federal student loans than EIU graduates. ($149 vs. $244)
  • More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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