North Park University vs. Northern Illinois

Should I go to North Park University or Northern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Park 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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North Park University vs. Northern Illinois University comparison
North Park University Northern Illinois University College 3 College 4
North Park University Northern Illinois University
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Overview

North Park University Northern Illinois
Location Chicago, IL Dekalb, IL
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 2,660 15,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #593 #454
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Covenant Church of America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northpark.edu niu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Park University Northern Illinois
Tuition (In State) $33,350 $9,790
Tuition (Out of State) $33,350 $9,790
Room & Board $10,125 $11,420
Avg Net Price $19,029 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $22,545 $12,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

North Park University Northern Illinois
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,039 25,961
Admitted 3,427 18,348
Acceptance Rate 68% 70.7%
Enrolled % 14.6% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.14 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26 19/25
SAT Range 890/1162 940/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

North Park University Northern Illinois
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)

Outcomes

North Park University Northern Illinois
Graduation Rate 52% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,600 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,250 $23,859
Median Loan Payment $271 $246

Diversity

North Park University Northern Illinois
% Men 40% 46%
% Women 60% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 57%
% Black 8% 16%
% Hispanic 22% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

North Park University Northern Illinois
% In-State 68% 93%
% Out-of-State 18% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than North Park University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 2,660 students)

North Park University vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Park University or Northern Illinois?

  • North Park University is 240.7% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($33,350.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 240.7% higher at North Park University than Northern Illinois University ($33,350.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than North Park University ($13,884 vs. $19,029)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Park University are 12.8% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,125 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Park University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Park University students is 79.6% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($22,545 vs. $12,552)

North Park University vs. Northern Illinois Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 15 points higher than at North Park University (1014)
  • Incoming North Park University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at North Park University (3.14)
  • Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than North Park University (68%)

North Park University vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Park 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 North Park University.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than North Park University (56% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $1,000 more per year than North Park University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $46,600)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $2,391 lower median federal student loan debt than North Park University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $26,250)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than North Park University graduates. ($246 vs. $271)
  • More North Park University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 61%)

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