Northeastern Illinois University vs. CUW

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

 Northeastern Illinois University CUW
Location Chicago, IL Mequon, WI
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,756 4,988
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #395
Religious Affiliation - Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu cuw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northeastern Illinois University CUW
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $32,770
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $32,770
Room & Board $10,742 $12,160
Avg Net Price $14,262 $24,485
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $23,477
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 99%

Admission

 Northeastern Illinois University CUW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 3,544
Admitted 2,886 2,494
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 70.4%
Enrolled % 17.9% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.52
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 20/26
SAT Range 810/1010
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 CUW
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (40%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)

Outcomes

 Northeastern Illinois University CUW
Graduation Rate 23% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $23,925
Median Loan Payment $149 $247

Diversity

 Northeastern Illinois University CUW
% Men 39% 33%
% Women 61% 67%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 72%
% Black 10% 15%
% Hispanic 37% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

 Northeastern Illinois University CUW
% In-State 97% 63%
% Out-of-State 2% 37%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than CUW based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 4,988 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or CUW?

  • Concordia University Wisconsin is 224.7% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($32,770.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.4% higher at CUW than Northeastern Illinois University ($32,770.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than CUW ($14,262 vs. $24,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 13.2% lower than costs at Concordia University Wisconsin ($10,742 vs. $12,160)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than Northeastern Illinois University (99% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 55% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($23,477 vs. $15,143)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. CUW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Concordia University Wisconsin (1066) is 196 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming CUW students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman CUW students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • CUW has a higher acceptance rate (70.4%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or CUW? 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 CUW and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at CUW is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (58% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn on average $6,100 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $9,425 lower median federal student loan debt than CUW graduates. ($14,500 vs. $23,925)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $98 less per month on federal student loans than CUW graduates. ($149 vs. $247)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 52%)

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