Northeastern Illinois University vs. SUNY Empire State College

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

Northeastern Illinois University SUNY Empire State College
Location Chicago, IL Saratoga Springs, NY
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 5,756 9,407
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu esc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University SUNY Empire State College
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $16,980
Room & Board $10,742 $11,600
Avg Net Price $14,262 $9,704
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $9,343
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 80%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University SUNY Empire State College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 -
Admitted 2,886 -
Acceptance Rate 62.7%
Enrolled % 17.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21
SAT Range 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University SUNY Empire State College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (40%)
  • Human Services (20%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Physical Sciences (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University SUNY Empire State College
Graduation Rate 23% 19%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $149 $240

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University SUNY Empire State College
% Men 39% 33%
% Women 61% 67%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 33% 60%
% Black 10% 16%
% Hispanic 37% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University SUNY Empire State College
% In-State 97% 86%
% Out-of-State 2% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • SUNY Empire State College is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (9,407 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. SUNY Empire State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or SUNY Empire State College?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 42.7% more expensive to attend than SUNY Empire State College for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.9% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than SUNY Empire State College ($20,182.00 vs. $16,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY Empire State College than Northeastern Illinois University ($9,704 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 8% lower than costs at SUNY Empire State College ($10,742 vs. $11,600)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than SUNY Empire State College (85% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 62.1% larger than aid received SUNY Empire State College ($15,143 vs. $9,343)

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

Northeastern Illinois University vs. SUNY Empire State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or SUNY Empire State College? 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 SUNY Empire State College and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Northeastern Illinois University is higher than SUNY Empire State College (23% vs. 19%)
  • Graduates from SUNY Empire State College earn on average $6,000 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $8,750 lower median federal student loan debt than SUNY Empire State College graduates. ($14,500 vs. $23,250)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $91 less per month on federal student loans than SUNY Empire State College graduates. ($149 vs. $240)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Empire State College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 44%)

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