National Louis University vs. Oakton College

Comparable Facts

Compare National Louis University in Chicago, IL with Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

National Louis University is larger than Oakton College based on total student enrollment (8,915 students vs. 8,329 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• National Louis University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Oakton College is in Des Plaines, IL (Small City setting).
• National Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakton College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: National Louis University 17:1; Oakton College 14:1.

National Louis University vs. Oakton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National Louis University or Oakton College? 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 Oakton College than National Louis University ($5,401 vs. $13,150).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakton College are 38.8% lower than at National Louis University ($8,994 vs. $14,700).
• National Louis University is 21.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakton College (about $2,259 more per year; $12,705.00 vs. $10,446.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at National Louis University than at Oakton College (about $243 more per year; $12,705.00 vs. $12,462.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at National Louis University than at Oakton College (83% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by National Louis University students is 81.7% larger than aid received by Oakton College students ($11,056 vs. $6,085).

National Louis University vs. Oakton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, National Louis University or Oakton College? 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 Oakton College and National Louis University.

• Oakton College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: National Louis University - Test-free; Oakton College - Open admission.

National Louis University vs. Oakton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for National Louis University and Oakton College? 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).

• Graduates from National Louis University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Oakton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakton College graduates have a $13,970 lower median loan debt than National Louis University graduates ($5,867 vs. $19,837).
• Among borrowers, Oakton College graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than National Louis University graduates ($60 vs. $205).
• More Oakton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 44%)

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.