Northeastern Illinois University vs. ESU

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

Northeastern Illinois University ESU
Location Chicago, IL Emporia, KS
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 5,756 5,324
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu emporia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University ESU
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $5,278
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $13,195
Room & Board $10,742 $9,308
Avg Net Price $14,262 $14,854
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $5,345
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 89%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University ESU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 1,846
Admitted 2,886 1,766
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 95.7%
Enrolled % 17.9% 30.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.41
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21
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 ESU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University ESU
Graduation Rate 23% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $39,000
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $19,419
Median Loan Payment $149 $200

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University ESU
% Men 39% 33%
% Women 61% 67%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 33% 70%
% Black 10% 5%
% Hispanic 37% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 4% 8%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University ESU
% In-State 97% 89%
% Out-of-State 2% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than ESU based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 5,324 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. ESU Cost Comparison

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

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 91.2% more expensive to attend than ESU for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $5,278.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Emporia State University ($20,182.00 vs. $13,195.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than ESU ($14,262 vs. $14,854)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 15.4% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($9,308 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Emporia State University than Northeastern Illinois University (89% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 183.3% larger than aid received Emporia State University ($15,143 vs. $5,345)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. ESU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Emporia State University (1030) is 160 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming ESU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • ESU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at ESU is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (43% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $1,000 more per year than ESU graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $39,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $4,919 lower median federal student loan debt than ESU graduates. ($14,500 vs. $19,419)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than ESU graduates. ($149 vs. $200)
  • More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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