Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central State University

Deciding between Northeastern Illinois University and Central State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Northeastern Illinois University
Central State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
  • Central State University Wilberforce, OH
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Illinois University Large City
  • Central State University Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern Illinois University 5,734
  • Central State University 2,708
  • Type
  • Northeastern Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • Central State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Northeastern Illinois University #670
  • Central State University #1022
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Northeastern Illinois University -
  • Central State University -
  • Status
  • Northeastern Illinois University Non-profit
  • Central State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Central State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Northeastern Illinois University $12,383
  • Central State University $8,058
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Northeastern Illinois University $22,726
  • Central State University $10,058
  • Room & Board
  • Northeastern Illinois University $10,390
  • Central State University $12,026
  • Average Net Price
  • Northeastern Illinois University $14,140
  • Central State University $11,398
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Northeastern Illinois University $12,876
  • Central State University $18,654
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Northeastern Illinois University 87%
  • Central State University 99%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Northeastern Illinois University Calculate
  • Central State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • Northeastern Illinois University 8,955
  • Central State University 2,810
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern Illinois University 6,680
  • Central State University 2,771
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Northeastern Illinois University 74.6%
  • Central State University 98.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Northeastern Illinois University 8.5%
  • Central State University 19.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern Illinois University 910
  • Central State University 860
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern Illinois University 18
  • Central State University 16
  • Average High School GPA
  • Northeastern Illinois University 3.1
  • Central State University 2.8
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Northeastern Illinois University B
  • Central State University B-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Northeastern Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Central State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Central State University
  • ACT Range
  • Northeastern Illinois University 15/21
  • Central State University 14/18
  • SAT Range
  • Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010
  • Central State University 770/950
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Northeastern Illinois University Test-free
  • Central State University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027
  • Central State University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Northeastern Illinois University 9:1
  • Central State University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Northeastern Illinois University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Central State University
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (19%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Outcomes

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

  • % Men
  • Northeastern Illinois University 40%
  • Central State University 36%
  • % Women
  • Northeastern Illinois University 60%
  • Central State University 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Northeastern Illinois University Very High
  • Central State University Extremely Low
  • HBCU
  • Northeastern Illinois University No
  • Central State University Yes
  • % White
  • Northeastern Illinois University 33%
  • Central State University 1%
  • % Asian
  • Northeastern Illinois University 9%
  • Central State University 0%
  • % Black
  • Northeastern Illinois University 10%
  • Central State University 95%
  • % Hispanic
  • Northeastern Illinois University 37%
  • Central State University 1%
  • % Native American
  • Northeastern Illinois University 0%
  • Central State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Northeastern Illinois University 0%
  • Central State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Northeastern Illinois University 2%
  • Central State University 1%
  • % International
  • Northeastern Illinois University 4%
  • Central State University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Northeastern Illinois University 3%
  • Central State University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Northeastern Illinois University 98%
  • Central State University 55%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Northeastern Illinois University 1%
  • Central State University 31%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL with Central State University in Wilberforce, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern Illinois University is larger than Central State University based on total student enrollment (5,734 students vs. 2,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Central State University is in Wilberforce, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern Illinois University 9:1; Central State University 16:1.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or Central State University? 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 Central State University than Northeastern Illinois University ($11,398 vs. $14,140).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 13.6% lower than at Central State University ($10,390 vs. $12,026).
  • Northeastern Illinois University is 53.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central State University (about $4,325 more per year; $12,383.00 vs. $8,058.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 125.9% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than at Central State University (about $12,668 more per year; $22,726.00 vs. $10,058.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central State University than at Northeastern Illinois University (99% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central State University students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students ($18,654 vs. $12,876).

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University or Central State University? 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 Central State University and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern Illinois University (910) is 50 points higher than at Central State University (860).
  • Incoming Northeastern Illinois University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 16 at Central State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010; Central State University 770/950.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 15/21; Central State University 14/18.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free; Central State University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
  • 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 (98.6%) than Northeastern Illinois University (74.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University vs. 19.4% at Central State University.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern Illinois University and Central State University? 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).

  • Central State University's six-year graduation rate (24%) is higher than Northeastern Illinois University's (23%).
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Central State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $24,500 lower median loan debt than Central State University graduates ($14,500 vs. $39,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $254 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.