McKendree University vs. Northern Illinois

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

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McKendree University vs. Northern Illinois University comparison
McKendree University Northern Illinois University College 3 College 4
McKendree University Northern Illinois University
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Overview

McKendree University Northern Illinois
Location Lebanon, IL Dekalb, IL
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,960 15,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #607 #454
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mckendree.edu niu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McKendree University Northern Illinois
Tuition (In State) $32,020 $9,790
Tuition (Out of State) $32,020 $9,790
Room & Board $11,590 $11,420
Avg Net Price $22,431 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $24,145 $12,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

McKendree University Northern Illinois
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,332 25,961
Admitted 1,594 18,348
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 70.7%
Enrolled % 26.5% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/28 19/25
SAT Range 871/1277 940/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

McKendree University Northern Illinois
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)

Outcomes

McKendree University Northern Illinois
Graduation Rate 54% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $23,859
Median Loan Payment $240 $246

Diversity

McKendree University Northern Illinois
% Men 46% 46%
% Women 54% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 57%
% Black 14% 16%
% Hispanic 5% 15%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

McKendree University Northern Illinois
% In-State 48% 93%
% Out-of-State 27% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 1,960 students)

McKendree University vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McKendree University or Northern Illinois?

  • McKendree University is 227.1% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($32,020.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 227.1% higher at McKendree University than Northern Illinois University ($32,020.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than McKendree University ($13,884 vs. $22,431)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 1.5% lower than costs at McKendree University ($11,420 vs. $11,590)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McKendree University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 92.4% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($24,145 vs. $12,552)

McKendree University vs. Northern Illinois Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 23 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming McKendree University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman McKendree University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than McKendree University (68.4%)

McKendree University vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McKendree University 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 McKendree University.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than McKendree University (56% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from McKendree University earn on average $700 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $47,600)
  • McKendree University students graduate with a $609 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($23,250 vs. $23,859)
  • McKendree University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($240 vs. $246)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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