ISU vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois State University in Normal, IL with Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois State University is larger than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 15,414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Illinois State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois State University 19:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

ISU vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 ISU ($14,243 vs. $21,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 17% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,754 vs. $14,160).
• Illinois State University is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $2,896 more per year; $16,144.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.9% higher at ISU than at Northern Illinois University (about $14,962 more per year; $28,210.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Illinois State University (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 10.9% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($14,387 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 40 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

ISU vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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).

• Illinois State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Illinois State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $1,859 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($227 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.