Northeastern Illinois University vs. Metropolitan State University

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

Northeastern Illinois University Metropolitan State University
Location Chicago, IL Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 5,504 6,005
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #736
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu metrostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University Metropolitan State University
Tuition (In State) $10,343 $8,571
Tuition (Out of State) $20,686 $8,571
Room & Board $10,742 $15,864
Avg Net Price $14,669 $18,233
Avg Grant Aid $12,560 $8,021
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 79%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University Metropolitan State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,481 542
Admitted 5,971 523
Acceptance Rate 70.4% 96.5%
Enrolled % 9.3% 30.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21
SAT Range 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University Metropolitan State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University Metropolitan State University
Graduation Rate 23% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $17,992
Median Loan Payment $149 $186

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University Metropolitan State University
% Men 9% 5%
% Women 18% 7%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 33% 54%
% Black 10% 20%
% Hispanic 37% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University Metropolitan State University
% In-State 98% 99%
% Out-of-State 1% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State University is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (6,005 students vs. 5,504 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 20.7% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($10,343.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 141.3% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Metropolitan State University ($20,686.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Metropolitan State University ($14,669 vs. $18,233)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 47.7% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($10,742 vs. $15,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than Metropolitan State University (85% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 56.6% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($12,560 vs. $8,021)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Northeastern Illinois University (70.4%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan State University and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Metropolitan State University is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (29% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $9,200 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $3,492 lower median federal student loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates. ($14,500 vs. $17,992)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Metropolitan State University graduates. ($149 vs. $186)
  • More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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