Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Dubuque

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

Northeastern Illinois University University of Dubuque
Location Chicago, IL Dubuque, IA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 5,756 1,776
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #756
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu dbq.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University University of Dubuque
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $36,800
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $36,800
Room & Board $10,742 $11,024
Avg Net Price $14,262 $22,879
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $25,005
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 100%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University University of Dubuque
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 1,579
Admitted 2,886 1,343
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 85.1%
Enrolled % 17.9% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.24
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21 17/23
SAT Range 810/1010 828/1070
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 University of Dubuque
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (15%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University University of Dubuque
Graduation Rate 23% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $41,800
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $25,674
Median Loan Payment $149 $265

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University University of Dubuque
% Men 39% 56%
% Women 61% 44%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 33% 63%
% Black 10% 14%
% Hispanic 37% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University University of Dubuque
% In-State 97% 25%
% Out-of-State 2% 69%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than University of Dubuque based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 1,776 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Dubuque Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or University of Dubuque?

  • University of Dubuque is 264.7% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($36,800.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 82.3% higher at University of Dubuque than Northeastern Illinois University ($36,800.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Dubuque ($14,262 vs. $22,879)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 2.6% lower than costs at University of Dubuque ($10,742 vs. $11,024)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Dubuque than Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dubuque students is 65.1% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($25,005 vs. $15,143)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Dubuque Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Dubuque (944) is 74 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming University of Dubuque students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman University of Dubuque students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • University of Dubuque has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Dubuque Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or University of Dubuque? 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 University of Dubuque and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at University of Dubuque is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (41% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from University of Dubuque earn on average $1,800 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $11,174 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Dubuque graduates. ($14,500 vs. $25,674)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $116 less per month on federal student loans than University of Dubuque graduates. ($149 vs. $265)
  • More University of Dubuque graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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