Northeastern Illinois University vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL with Alma College in Alma, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern Illinois University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (5,734 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern Illinois University 9:1; Alma College 14:1.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or Alma 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 Northeastern Illinois University than Alma College ($14,140 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 26.7% lower than at Alma College ($10,390 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 300.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern Illinois University (about $37,169 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118% higher at Alma College than at Northeastern Illinois University (about $26,826 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $22,726.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 223.2% larger than aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students ($41,618 vs. $12,876).

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University or Alma 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 Alma College and Northeastern Illinois University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free; Alma College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1).
• Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (74.6%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern Illinois University and Alma 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).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Northeastern Illinois University's (23%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($14,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($149 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 56%)

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.