Northeastern Illinois University vs. Purdue Calumet

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

Northeastern Illinois University Purdue Calumet
Location Chicago, IL Hammond, IN
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,756 9,194
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu purduecal.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University Purdue Calumet
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $6,746
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $16,164
Room & Board $10,742 $7,560
Avg Net Price $14,262 $10,908
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $5,703
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 58%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University Purdue Calumet
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 2,810
Admitted 2,886 1,649
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 58.7%
Enrolled % 17.9% 54%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.19
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 18/24
SAT Range 810/1010 940/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University Purdue Calumet
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%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Engineering Technology (14%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University Purdue Calumet
Graduation Rate 23% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $20,908
Median Loan Payment $149 $216

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University Purdue Calumet
% Men 39% 0%
% Women 61% 0%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 33% 55%
% Black 10% 13%
% Hispanic 37% 19%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University Purdue Calumet
% In-State 97% -
% Out-of-State 2% -

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Purdue University Calumet Campus is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (9,194 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Purdue Calumet Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or Purdue Calumet?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 49.6% more expensive to attend than Purdue Calumet for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $6,746.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.9% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than Purdue University Calumet Campus ($20,182.00 vs. $16,164.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Purdue University Calumet Campus than Northeastern Illinois University ($10,908 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Calumet Campus are 42.1% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($7,560 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than Purdue University Calumet Campus (85% vs. 58%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 165.5% larger than aid received Purdue University Calumet Campus ($15,143 vs. $5,703)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Purdue Calumet Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Purdue University Calumet Campus (960) is 90 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Accepted freshman Purdue Calumet students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (62.7%) than Purdue Calumet (58.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Purdue Calumet Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or Purdue Calumet? 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 Purdue Calumet and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Purdue Calumet is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (28% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Purdue University Calumet Campus earn on average $2,500 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $6,408 lower median federal student loan debt than Purdue Calumet graduates. ($14,500 vs. $20,908)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $67 less per month on federal student loans than Purdue Calumet graduates. ($149 vs. $216)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purdue Calumet students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 38%)

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