Northeastern Illinois University vs. SAU

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

 Northeastern Illinois University SAU
Location Chicago, IL Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 5,756 2,396
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northeastern Illinois University SAU
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $31,020
Room & Board $10,742 $10,652
Avg Net Price $14,262 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 99%

Admission

 Northeastern Illinois University SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 2,312
Admitted 2,886 1,094
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 47.3%
Enrolled % 17.9% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.61
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 20/26
SAT Range 810/1010 970/1135
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 Northeastern Illinois University SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 Northeastern Illinois University SAU
Graduation Rate 23% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $149 $248

Diversity

 Northeastern Illinois University SAU
% Men 39% 23%
% Women 61% 77%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 77%
% Black 10% 10%
% Hispanic 37% 3%
% 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 SAU
% In-State 97% 83%
% Out-of-State 2% 13%

Campus

 Northeastern Illinois University SAU
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 SAU based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 2,396 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. SAU Cost Comparison

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

  • Spring Arbor University is 207.4% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.7% higher at SAU than Northeastern Illinois University ($31,020.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than SAU ($14,262 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 0.8% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($10,652 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Northeastern Illinois University (99% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 36.5% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($20,677 vs. $15,143)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 203 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (62.7%) than SAU (47.3%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (56% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $9,543 lower median federal student loan debt than SAU graduates. ($14,500 vs. $24,043)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $99 less per month on federal student loans than SAU graduates. ($149 vs. $248)
  • More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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