Northeastern Illinois University vs. Rockford University

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

Northeastern Illinois University Rockford University
Location Chicago, IL Rockford, IL
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 5,504 1,249
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #736 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu rockford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University Rockford University
Tuition (In State) $10,343 $36,800
Tuition (Out of State) $20,686 $36,800
Room & Board $10,742 $10,940
Avg Net Price $14,669 $24,098
Avg Grant Aid $12,560 $22,903
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 99%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University Rockford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,481 2,979
Admitted 5,971 1,705
Acceptance Rate 70.4% 57.2%
Enrolled % 9.3% 11.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.25
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 17/23
SAT Range 810/1010 850/1070
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, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University Rockford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University Rockford University
Graduation Rate 23% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $149 $258

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University Rockford University
% Men 9% 8%
% Women 18% 14%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 33% 67%
% Black 10% 9%
% Hispanic 37% 14%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 5%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University Rockford University
% In-State 98% 64%
% Out-of-State 1% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than Rockford University based on total student enrollment (5,504 students vs. 1,249 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Rockford University Cost Comparison

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

  • Rockford University is 255.8% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($36,800.00 vs. $10,343.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77.9% higher at Rockford University than Northeastern Illinois University ($36,800.00 vs. $20,686.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Rockford University ($14,669 vs. $24,098)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 1.8% lower than costs at Rockford University ($10,742 vs. $10,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rockford University than Northeastern Illinois University (99% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 82.3% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($22,903 vs. $12,560)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Rockford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Rockford University (1007) is 137 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Rockford University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Rockford University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (70.4%) than Rockford University (57.2%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Rockford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or Rockford 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 Rockford University and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Rockford University is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (31% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Rockford University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $10,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Rockford University graduates. ($14,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $109 less per month on federal student loans than Rockford University graduates. ($149 vs. $258)
  • More Rockford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 56%)

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