Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis

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

Northeastern Illinois University University of Saint Francis
Location Chicago, IL Fort Wayne, IN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 5,756 1,903
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #693
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu sf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University University of Saint Francis
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $32,870
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $32,870
Room & Board $10,742 $11,220
Avg Net Price $14,262 $18,162
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $24,860
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 99%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University University of Saint Francis
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 1,391
Admitted 2,886 1,364
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 98.1%
Enrolled % 17.9% 26.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.37
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21 18/24
SAT Range 810/1010 930/1130
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 Saint Francis
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Health Professions (59%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University University of Saint Francis
Graduation Rate 23% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $25,250
Median Loan Payment $149 $261

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University University of Saint Francis
% Men 39% 32%
% Women 61% 68%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 81%
% Black 10% 7%
% Hispanic 37% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University University of Saint Francis
% In-State 97% 84%
% Out-of-State 2% 14%

Campus

Northeastern Illinois University University of Saint Francis
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 University of Saint Francis based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 1,903 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is 225.7% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($32,870.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.9% higher at University of Saint Francis than Northeastern Illinois University ($32,870.00 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 Saint Francis ($14,262 vs. $18,162)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 4.4% lower than costs at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne ($10,742 vs. $11,220)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne than Northeastern Illinois University (99% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne students is 64.2% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($24,860 vs. $15,143)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne (974) is 104 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming University of Saint Francis students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman University of Saint Francis students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • University of Saint Francis has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Saint Francis is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (54% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn on average $2,000 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $10,750 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Saint Francis graduates. ($14,500 vs. $25,250)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $112 less per month on federal student loans than University of Saint Francis graduates. ($149 vs. $261)
  • More University of Saint Francis 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/