Elmhurst University vs. Northeastern Illinois University

Deciding between Elmhurst University and Northeastern Illinois University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Elmhurst University
Northeastern Illinois University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
  • Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • Elmhurst University Large Suburban
  • Northeastern Illinois University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Elmhurst University 3,997
  • Northeastern Illinois University 5,734
  • Type
  • Elmhurst University Private 4 Year
  • Northeastern Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elmhurst University #320
  • Northeastern Illinois University #670
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elmhurst University United Church of Christ
  • Northeastern Illinois University -
  • Status
  • Elmhurst University Non-profit
  • Northeastern Illinois University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elmhurst University
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • Northeastern Illinois University $12,383
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • Northeastern Illinois University $22,726
  • Room & Board
  • Elmhurst University $14,528
  • Northeastern Illinois University $10,390
  • Average Net Price
  • Elmhurst University $24,629
  • Northeastern Illinois University $14,140
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elmhurst University $30,079
  • Northeastern Illinois University $12,876
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elmhurst University 100%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 87%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Elmhurst University Calculate
  • Northeastern Illinois University Calculate
  • Applied
  • Elmhurst University 6,245
  • Northeastern Illinois University 8,955
  • Admitted
  • Elmhurst University 4,599
  • Northeastern Illinois University 6,680
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elmhurst University 73.6%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 74.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Elmhurst University 12.5%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 8.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elmhurst University 1130
  • Northeastern Illinois University 910
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elmhurst University 26
  • Northeastern Illinois University 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elmhurst University 3.59
  • Northeastern Illinois University 3.1
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elmhurst University A-
  • Northeastern Illinois University B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elmhurst University Challenging
  • Northeastern Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elmhurst University Low
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • ACT Range
  • Elmhurst University 23/30
  • Northeastern Illinois University 15/21
  • SAT Range
  • Elmhurst University 990/1260
  • Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elmhurst University Test optional
  • Northeastern Illinois University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Elmhurst University
  • Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elmhurst University 15:1
  • Northeastern Illinois University 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elmhurst University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Northeastern Illinois University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elmhurst University 70%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 23%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elmhurst University $50,200
  • Northeastern Illinois University $40,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elmhurst University 72%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elmhurst University $21,500
  • Northeastern Illinois University $14,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elmhurst University $222
  • Northeastern Illinois University $149
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elmhurst University 38%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 40%
  • % Women
  • Elmhurst University 62%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elmhurst University Medium
  • Northeastern Illinois University Very High
  • HBCU
  • Elmhurst University No
  • Northeastern Illinois University No
  • % White
  • Elmhurst University 67%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 33%
  • % Asian
  • Elmhurst University 6%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 9%
  • % Black
  • Elmhurst University 5%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elmhurst University 17%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 37%
  • % Native American
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elmhurst University 3%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 2%
  • % International
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elmhurst University 2%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elmhurst University 82%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 98%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elmhurst University 18%
  • Northeastern Illinois University 1%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern Illinois University is larger than Elmhurst University based on total student enrollment (5,734 students vs. 3,997 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elmhurst University is located in Elmhurst, IL (Large Suburban setting); Northeastern Illinois University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
  • Elmhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmhurst University 15:1; Northeastern Illinois University 9:1.

Elmhurst University vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst University or Northeastern Illinois University? 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 Northeastern Illinois University than Elmhurst University ($14,140 vs. $24,629).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 28.5% lower than at Elmhurst University ($10,390 vs. $14,528).
  • Elmhurst University is 246.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern Illinois University (about $30,572 more per year; $42,955.00 vs. $12,383.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 89% higher at Elmhurst University than at Northeastern Illinois University (about $20,229 more per year; $42,955.00 vs. $22,726.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmhurst University than at Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst University students is 133.6% larger than aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students ($30,079 vs. $12,876).

Elmhurst University vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elmhurst University or Northeastern Illinois University? 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 Northeastern Illinois University and Elmhurst University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elmhurst University (1130) is 220 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (910).
  • Incoming Elmhurst University students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 18 at Northeastern Illinois University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmhurst University 990/1260; Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmhurst University 23/30; Northeastern Illinois University 15/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elmhurst University - Test optional; Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Elmhurst University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1).
  • Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (74.6%) than Elmhurst University (73.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Elmhurst University vs. 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University.

Elmhurst University vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elmhurst University and Northeastern Illinois University? 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).

  • Elmhurst University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Northeastern Illinois University's (23%).
  • Graduates from Elmhurst University earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Elmhurst University graduates ($14,500 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elmhurst University graduates ($149 vs. $222).
  • More Elmhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 56%)

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.