Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central

Should I go to Northeastern Illinois University or University of Central Missouri? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern Illinois University or Central 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Southeast Missouri State University EIU Northern Illinois UIC North Park University University of Missouri-Kansas City ISU CSU Northwest Pitt State Western Illinois University WSU
Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Central Missouri comparison
Northeastern Illinois University University of Central Missouri College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University University of Central Missouri
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Northeastern Illinois University Central
Location Chicago, IL Warrensburg, MO
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,756 11,637
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #708
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu ucmo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northeastern Illinois University Central
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $8,040
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $16,080
Room & Board $10,742 $9,699
Avg Net Price $14,262 $15,117
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $6,517
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 98%

Admission

 Northeastern Illinois University Central
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 4,993
Admitted 2,886 3,562
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 71.3%
Enrolled % 17.9% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.68
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 19/25
SAT Range 810/1010
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 Central
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)

Outcomes

 Northeastern Illinois University Central
Graduation Rate 23% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $22,441
Median Loan Payment $149 $232

Diversity

 Northeastern Illinois University Central
% Men 39% 46%
% Women 61% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 77%
% Black 10% 11%
% Hispanic 37% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 Northeastern Illinois University Central
% In-State 97% 88%
% Out-of-State 2% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Missouri is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (11,637 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central Cost Comparison

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

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 25.5% more expensive to attend than Central for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $8,040.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.5% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Central Missouri ($20,182.00 vs. $16,080.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Central ($14,262 vs. $15,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 10.8% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($9,699 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Central Missouri than Northeastern Illinois University (98% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 132.4% larger than aid received University of Central Missouri ($15,143 vs. $6,517)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Central Missouri (1010) is 140 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Central students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Central has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Central Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Central is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (50% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn on average $1,500 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $7,941 lower median federal student loan debt than Central graduates. ($14,500 vs. $22,441)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than Central graduates. ($149 vs. $232)
  • More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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