Northeastern Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS

Should I go to Northeastern Illinois University or Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern Illinois University or CMU - CLAS 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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Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences comparison
Northeastern Illinois University Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University
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Overview

Northeastern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Location Chicago, IL Fayette, MO
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 5,756 1,080
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #781
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu centralmethodist.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $26,360
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $26,360
Room & Board $10,742 $8,910
Avg Net Price $14,262 $24,828
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $18,044
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 100%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 1,166
Admitted 2,886 1,141
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 97.9%
Enrolled % 17.9% 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21 18/23
SAT Range 810/1010 930/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Graduation Rate 23% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $16,875
Median Loan Payment $149 $174

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
% Men 39% 48%
% Women 61% 52%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 78%
% Black 10% 8%
% Hispanic 37% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
% In-State 97% 59%
% Out-of-State 2% 27%

Campus

Northeastern Illinois University CMU - CLAS
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than CMU - CLAS based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 1,080 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or CMU - CLAS?

  • Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is 161.2% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($26,360.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.6% higher at CMU - CLAS than Northeastern Illinois University ($26,360.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than CMU - CLAS ($14,262 vs. $24,828)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are 20.6% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($8,910 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences than Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students is 19.2% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($18,044 vs. $15,143)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (1043) is 173 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming CMU - CLAS students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman CMU - CLAS students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • CMU - CLAS has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. CMU - CLAS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or CMU - CLAS? 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 CMU - CLAS and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at CMU - CLAS is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (43% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $1,400 more per year than CMU - CLAS graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $38,600)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $2,375 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU - CLAS graduates. ($14,500 vs. $16,875)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than CMU - CLAS graduates. ($149 vs. $174)
  • More CMU - CLAS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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