Northeastern Illinois University vs. McNally Smith College of Music

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

Northeastern Illinois University McNally Smith College of Music
Location Chicago, IL Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 5,756 376
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #629
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website neiu.edu mcnallysmith.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University McNally Smith College of Music
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $27,040
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $27,040
Room & Board $10,742 $7,100
Avg Net Price $14,262 $30,167
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $7,067
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 45%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University McNally Smith College of Music
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 272
Admitted 2,886 178
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 65.4%
Enrolled % 17.9% 53.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21
SAT Range 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Recommended
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University McNally Smith College of Music
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 0:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University McNally Smith College of Music
Graduation Rate 23% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $34,900
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $26,550
Median Loan Payment $149 $274

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University McNally Smith College of Music
% Men 39% 0%
% Women 61% 0%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 71%
% Black 10% 10%
% Hispanic 37% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 9%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University McNally Smith College of Music
% In-State 97% -
% Out-of-State 2% -

Campus

Northeastern Illinois University McNally Smith College of Music
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 McNally Smith College of Music based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 376 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. McNally Smith College of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or McNally Smith College of Music?

  • McNally Smith College of Music is 168% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($27,040.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34% higher at McNally Smith College of Music than Northeastern Illinois University ($27,040.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than McNally Smith College of Music ($14,262 vs. $30,167)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McNally Smith College of Music are 51.3% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($7,100 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than McNally Smith College of Music (85% vs. 45%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 114.3% larger than aid received McNally Smith College of Music ($15,143 vs. $7,067)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. McNally Smith College of Music Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • McNally Smith College of Music has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. McNally Smith College of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or McNally Smith College of Music? 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 McNally Smith College of Music and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at McNally Smith College of Music is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (46% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $5,100 more per year than McNally Smith College of Music graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $34,900)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $12,050 lower median federal student loan debt than McNally Smith College of Music graduates. ($14,500 vs. $26,550)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $125 less per month on federal student loans than McNally Smith College of Music graduates. ($149 vs. $274)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McNally Smith College of Music students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 56%)

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