Northeastern Illinois University vs. OC Comets

Deciding between Northeastern Illinois University and The University of Olivet? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Northeastern Illinois University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
  • OC Comets Olivet, MI
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Illinois University Large City
  • OC Comets Distant Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern Illinois University 5,734
  • OC Comets 979
  • Type
  • Northeastern Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • OC Comets Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Northeastern Illinois University #670
  • OC Comets
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Northeastern Illinois University -
  • OC Comets United Church of Christ
  • Status
  • Northeastern Illinois University Non-profit
  • OC Comets Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • OC Comets
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Northeastern Illinois University $12,383
  • OC Comets $34,068
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Northeastern Illinois University $22,726
  • OC Comets $34,068
  • Room & Board
  • Northeastern Illinois University $10,390
  • OC Comets $12,567
  • Average Net Price
  • Northeastern Illinois University $14,140
  • OC Comets $19,362
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Northeastern Illinois University $12,876
  • OC Comets $27,858
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Northeastern Illinois University 87%
  • OC Comets 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Northeastern Illinois University 8,955
  • OC Comets 1,516
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern Illinois University 6,680
  • OC Comets 1,262
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Northeastern Illinois University 74.6%
  • OC Comets 83.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Northeastern Illinois University 8.5%
  • OC Comets 20.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern Illinois University 910
  • OC Comets 1020
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern Illinois University 18
  • OC Comets 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Northeastern Illinois University 3.1
  • OC Comets -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Northeastern Illinois University B
  • OC Comets -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Northeastern Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • OC Comets Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • OC Comets
  • ACT Range
  • Northeastern Illinois University 15/21
  • OC Comets 18/23
  • SAT Range
  • Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010
  • OC Comets 910/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Northeastern Illinois University Test-free
  • OC Comets Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027
  • OC Comets
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Northeastern Illinois University 9:1
  • OC Comets 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Northeastern Illinois University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • OC Comets
    • Education (20%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (15%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Northeastern Illinois University 23%
  • OC Comets 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Northeastern Illinois University $40,000
  • OC Comets $39,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Northeastern Illinois University 56%
  • OC Comets 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Northeastern Illinois University $14,500
  • OC Comets $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Northeastern Illinois University $149
  • OC Comets $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Northeastern Illinois University 40%
  • OC Comets 57%
  • % Women
  • Northeastern Illinois University 60%
  • OC Comets 43%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Northeastern Illinois University Very High
  • OC Comets Low
  • HBCU
  • Northeastern Illinois University No
  • OC Comets No
  • % White
  • Northeastern Illinois University 33%
  • OC Comets 75%
  • % Asian
  • Northeastern Illinois University 9%
  • OC Comets 1%
  • % Black
  • Northeastern Illinois University 10%
  • OC Comets 13%
  • % Hispanic
  • Northeastern Illinois University 37%
  • OC Comets 7%
  • % Native American
  • Northeastern Illinois University 0%
  • OC Comets 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Northeastern Illinois University 0%
  • OC Comets 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Northeastern Illinois University 2%
  • OC Comets 3%
  • % International
  • Northeastern Illinois University 4%
  • OC Comets 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Northeastern Illinois University 3%
  • OC Comets 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Northeastern Illinois University 98%
  • OC Comets 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Northeastern Illinois University 1%
  • OC Comets 7%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL with The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern Illinois University is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (5,734 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
  • Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern Illinois University 9:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or OC Comets? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than OC Comets ($14,140 vs. $19,362).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 17.3% lower than at The University of Olivet ($10,390 vs. $12,567).
  • The University of Olivet is 175.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern Illinois University (about $21,685 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $12,383.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 49.9% higher at OC Comets than at Northeastern Illinois University (about $11,342 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $22,726.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 116.4% larger than aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students ($27,858 vs. $12,876).

Northeastern Illinois University vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University or OC Comets? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OC Comets and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Olivet (1020) is 110 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (910).
  • Incoming OC Comets students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at Northeastern Illinois University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 15/21; The University of Olivet 18/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free; OC Comets - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
  • OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than Northeastern Illinois University (74.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern Illinois University and OC Comets? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • The University of Olivet's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Northeastern Illinois University's (23%).
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $700 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($14,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($149 vs. $279).
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.