Eureka College vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Eureka College in Eureka, 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 Eureka College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Eureka College vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eureka College 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 Northern Illinois University than Eureka College ($14,243 vs. $19,128).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eureka College are 24.4% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,698 vs. $14,160).
• Eureka College is 119.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $15,848 more per year; $29,096.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.6% higher at Eureka College than at Northern Illinois University (about $15,848 more per year; $29,096.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eureka College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eureka College students is 42.4% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($20,489 vs. $14,387).

Eureka College vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 50 points higher than at Eureka College (1010).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Eureka College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eureka College 870/1155; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eureka College 16/23; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eureka College - Test-free; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eureka College Aug 15, 2027; Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Eureka College (3.22).
• Eureka College has a higher acceptance rate (85%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Eureka College vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Eureka College vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eureka College 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).

• Eureka College's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Eureka College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Eureka College graduates ($23,859 vs. $25,375).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eureka College graduates ($246 vs. $262).
• More Eureka College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 61%)

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.