Milikin vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare Millikin University in Decatur, 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 Milikin based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,586 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Millikin University is located in Decatur, IL (Small City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• Millikin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Millikin University 10:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Milikin vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Milikin 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 Milikin ($14,243 vs. $22,813).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Millikin University are 3.3% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,695 vs. $14,160).
• Millikin University is 103% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $13,644 more per year; $26,892.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103% higher at Milikin than at Northern Illinois University (about $13,644 more per year; $26,892.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Millikin University than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Millikin University students is 141.4% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($34,733 vs. $14,387).

Milikin vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Milikin 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 Milikin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 60 points higher than at Milikin (1000).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Milikin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Millikin University 860/1130; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Millikin University 18/25; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Milikin - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Milikin students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than Milikin (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10% at Milikin vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Milikin vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Milikin 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).

• Millikin University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $500 more per year than Milikin graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than Milikin graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Milikin graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Milikin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.