Elmhurst College vs. Northern Illinois

Should I go to Elmhurst College or Northern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Elmhurst College or Northern Illinois 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Elmhurst College vs. Northern Illinois University comparison
Elmhurst College Northern Illinois University College 3 College 4
Elmhurst College Northern Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Elmhurst College Northern Illinois
Location Elmhurst, IL Dekalb, IL
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 3,731 15,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #380 #454
Religious Affiliation United Church of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elmhurst.edu niu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Elmhurst College Northern Illinois
Tuition (In State) $39,862 $9,790
Tuition (Out of State) $39,862 $9,790
Room & Board $11,250 $11,420
Avg Net Price $24,108 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $27,835 $12,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Elmhurst College Northern Illinois
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,731 25,961
Admitted 4,356 18,348
Acceptance Rate 76% 70.7%
Enrolled % 14.2% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 980/1240 940/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Elmhurst College Northern Illinois
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)

Outcomes

Elmhurst College Northern Illinois
Graduation Rate 70% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,200 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $23,859
Median Loan Payment $222 $246

Diversity

Elmhurst College Northern Illinois
% Men 38% 46%
% Women 62% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 57%
% Black 5% 16%
% Hispanic 17% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Elmhurst College Northern Illinois
% In-State 78% 93%
% Out-of-State 13% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Elmhurst College based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 3,731 students)

Elmhurst College vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst College or Northern Illinois?

  • Elmhurst College is 307.2% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($39,862.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 307.2% higher at Elmhurst College than Northern Illinois University ($39,862.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Elmhurst College ($13,884 vs. $24,108)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmhurst College are 1.5% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($11,250 vs. $11,420)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Elmhurst College as Northern Illinois University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst College students is 121.8% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($27,835 vs. $12,552)

Elmhurst College vs. Northern Illinois Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elmhurst College or Northern Illinois? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northern Illinois or Elmhurst College .

  • The average SAT score at Elmhurst College (1090) is 61 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming Elmhurst College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman Elmhurst College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Elmhurst College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Elmhurst College vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elmhurst College or Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois and Elmhurst College.

  • The graduation rate at Elmhurst College is higher than Northern Illinois University (70% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Elmhurst College earn on average $2,600 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates after ten years. ($50,200 vs. $47,600)
  • Elmhurst College students graduate with a $2,359 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,859)
  • Elmhurst College graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($222 vs. $246)
  • More Elmhurst College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 61%)

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