Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central State University

Should I go to Northeastern Illinois University or Central State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern Illinois University or Central State University 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 State University comparison
Northeastern Illinois University Central State University College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University Central State University
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Overview

Northeastern Illinois University Central State University
Location Chicago, IL Wilberforce, OH
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,756 5,434
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #1023
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu centralstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University Central State University
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $5,176
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $7,176
Room & Board $10,742 $10,900
Avg Net Price $14,262 $10,194
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $6,943
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 91%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University Central State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 3,814
Admitted 2,886 3,388
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 88.8%
Enrolled % 17.9% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 2.8
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21 14/18
SAT Range 810/1010 770/950
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

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University Central State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 21:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University Central State University
Graduation Rate 23% 24%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $27,200
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 16%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $39,000
Median Loan Payment $149 $403

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University Central State University
% Men 39% 30%
% Women 61% 70%
Racial Diversity Very High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 33% 1%
% Black 10% 95%
% Hispanic 37% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University Central State University
% In-State 97% 55%
% Out-of-State 2% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than Central State University based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 5,434 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or Central State University?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 95% more expensive to attend than Central State University for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $5,176.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 181.2% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Central State University ($20,182.00 vs. $7,176.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central State University than Northeastern Illinois University ($10,194 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 1.5% lower than costs at Central State University ($10,742 vs. $10,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central State University than Northeastern Illinois University (91% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 118.1% larger than aid received Central State University ($15,143 vs. $6,943)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northeastern Illinois University (870) is 93 points higher than at Central State University (777)
  • Incoming Northeastern Illinois University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (18) than students at Central State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Northeastern Illinois University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Central State University (2.8)
  • Central State University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or Central State University? 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 Central State University and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Central State University is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (24% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $12,800 more per year than Central State University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $27,200)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $24,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Central State University graduates. ($14,500 vs. $39,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $254 less per month on federal student loans than Central State University graduates. ($149 vs. $403)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 16%)

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