Elmhurst College vs. Northeastern Illinois University

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

 Elmhurst College Northeastern Illinois University
Location Elmhurst, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 3,731 5,756
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #380 #629
Religious Affiliation United Church of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elmhurst.edu neiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Elmhurst College Northeastern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $39,862 $10,091
Tuition (Out of State) $39,862 $20,182
Room & Board $11,250 $10,742
Avg Net Price $24,108 $14,262
Avg Grant Aid $27,835 $15,143
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 85%

Admission

 Elmhurst College Northeastern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,731 4,603
Admitted 4,356 2,886
Acceptance Rate 76% 62.7%
Enrolled % 14.2% 17.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 15/21
SAT Range 980/1240 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 Elmhurst College Northeastern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

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

Diversity

 Elmhurst College Northeastern Illinois University
% Men 38% 39%
% Women 62% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 33%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 17% 37%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

 Elmhurst College Northeastern Illinois University
% In-State 78% 97%
% Out-of-State 13% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than Elmhurst College based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 3,731 students)

Elmhurst College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst College or Northeastern Illinois University?

  • Elmhurst College is 295% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($39,862.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 97.5% higher at Elmhurst College than Northeastern Illinois University ($39,862.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Elmhurst College ($14,262 vs. $24,108)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 4.7% lower than costs at Elmhurst College ($10,742 vs. $11,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Elmhurst College than Northeastern Illinois University (99% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst College students is 83.8% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($27,835 vs. $15,143)

Elmhurst College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elmhurst College 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 Elmhurst College .

  • The average SAT score at Elmhurst College (1090) is 220 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Elmhurst College students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Elmhurst College students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Elmhurst College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Elmhurst College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elmhurst College 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 Elmhurst College.

  • The graduation rate at Elmhurst College is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (70% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Elmhurst College earn on average $10,200 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($50,200 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $7,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Elmhurst College graduates. ($14,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $73 less per month on federal student loans than Elmhurst College graduates. ($149 vs. $222)
  • More Elmhurst College 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/