EIU vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

EIU vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than Northern Illinois ($13,787 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 13.3% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,282 vs. $14,160).
• Eastern Illinois University is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $431 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at EIU than at Northern Illinois University (about $2,969 more per year; $16,217.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Eastern Illinois University (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 11% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($14,387 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 70 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

EIU vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $209 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($23,650 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($244 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.