Northeastern Illinois University vs. NKU

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

Northeastern Illinois University NKU
Location Chicago, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,504 14,961
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #736 #912
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University NKU
Tuition (In State) $10,343 $10,512
Tuition (Out of State) $20,686 $21,096
Room & Board $10,742 $11,660
Avg Net Price $14,669 $8,151
Avg Grant Aid $12,560 $11,492
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 98%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,481 6,417
Admitted 5,971 6,162
Acceptance Rate 70.4% 96%
Enrolled % 9.3% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21 19/25
SAT Range 810/1010 916/1133
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 15, 2026

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University NKU
Graduation Rate 23% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $149 $257

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University NKU
% Men 9% 10%
% Women 18% 24%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 82%
% Black 10% 7%
% Hispanic 37% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University NKU
% In-State 98% 71%
% Out-of-State 1% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 5,504 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern Kentucky University is 1.6% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $10,343.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2% higher at NKU than Northeastern Illinois University ($21,096.00 vs. $20,686.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Northeastern Illinois University ($8,151 vs. $14,669)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 8.5% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,742 vs. $11,660)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Northeastern Illinois University (98% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 9.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($12,560 vs. $11,492)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 198 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Northeastern Illinois University (70.4%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at NKU is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (37% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $10,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($14,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $108 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($149 vs. $257)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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