Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis

Deciding between Northeastern Illinois University and University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Northeastern Illinois University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne, IN
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Illinois University Large City
  • University of Saint Francis Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern Illinois University 5,734
  • University of Saint Francis 1,763
  • Type
  • Northeastern Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • University of Saint Francis Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Northeastern Illinois University #670
  • University of Saint Francis #676
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Northeastern Illinois University -
  • University of Saint Francis Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Northeastern Illinois University Non-profit
  • University of Saint Francis Non-profit
  • Website
  • Northeastern Illinois University neiu.edu
  • University of Saint Francis sf.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • University of Saint Francis
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Northeastern Illinois University $12,383
  • University of Saint Francis $36,460
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Northeastern Illinois University $22,726
  • University of Saint Francis $36,460
  • Room & Board
  • Northeastern Illinois University $10,390
  • University of Saint Francis $11,872
  • Average Net Price
  • Northeastern Illinois University $14,140
  • University of Saint Francis $18,654
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Northeastern Illinois University $12,876
  • University of Saint Francis $28,063
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Northeastern Illinois University 87%
  • University of Saint Francis 100%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Northeastern Illinois University Calculate
  • University of Saint Francis Calculate
  • Applied
  • Northeastern Illinois University 8,955
  • University of Saint Francis 2,008
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern Illinois University 6,680
  • University of Saint Francis 1,927
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Northeastern Illinois University 74.6%
  • University of Saint Francis 96%
  • Enrolled
  • Northeastern Illinois University 8.5%
  • University of Saint Francis 21.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern Illinois University 910
  • University of Saint Francis 970
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern Illinois University 18
  • University of Saint Francis 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Northeastern Illinois University 3.1
  • University of Saint Francis 3.37
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Northeastern Illinois University B
  • University of Saint Francis B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Northeastern Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • University of Saint Francis Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • University of Saint Francis
  • ACT Range
  • Northeastern Illinois University 15/21
  • University of Saint Francis 17/24
  • SAT Range
  • Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010
  • University of Saint Francis 870/1070
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Northeastern Illinois University Test-free
  • University of Saint Francis Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027
  • University of Saint Francis
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Northeastern Illinois University 9:1
  • University of Saint Francis 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Northeastern Illinois University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • University of Saint Francis
    • Health Professions (59%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Business (5%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)
  • Outcomes

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

  • % Men
  • Northeastern Illinois University 40%
  • University of Saint Francis 32%
  • % Women
  • Northeastern Illinois University 60%
  • University of Saint Francis 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Northeastern Illinois University Very High
  • University of Saint Francis Low
  • HBCU
  • Northeastern Illinois University No
  • University of Saint Francis No
  • % White
  • Northeastern Illinois University 33%
  • University of Saint Francis 81%
  • % Asian
  • Northeastern Illinois University 9%
  • University of Saint Francis 1%
  • % Black
  • Northeastern Illinois University 10%
  • University of Saint Francis 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Northeastern Illinois University 37%
  • University of Saint Francis 6%
  • % Native American
  • Northeastern Illinois University 0%
  • University of Saint Francis 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Northeastern Illinois University 0%
  • University of Saint Francis 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Northeastern Illinois University 2%
  • University of Saint Francis 2%
  • % International
  • Northeastern Illinois University 4%
  • University of Saint Francis 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Northeastern Illinois University 3%
  • University of Saint Francis 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Northeastern Illinois University 98%
  • University of Saint Francis 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Northeastern Illinois University 1%
  • University of Saint Francis 8%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL with University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern Illinois University is larger than University of Saint Francis based on total student enrollment (5,734 students vs. 1,763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting).
  • Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern Illinois University 9:1; University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 11:1.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or University of Saint Francis? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Saint Francis ($14,140 vs. $18,654).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 12.5% lower than at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne ($10,390 vs. $11,872).
  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is 194.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern Illinois University (about $24,077 more per year; $36,460.00 vs. $12,383.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 60.4% higher at University of Saint Francis than at Northeastern Illinois University (about $13,734 more per year; $36,460.00 vs. $22,726.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne than at Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne students is 117.9% larger than aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students ($28,063 vs. $12,876).

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University or University of Saint Francis? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Saint Francis and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne (970) is 60 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (910).
  • Incoming University of Saint Francis students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at Northeastern Illinois University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010; University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 870/1070.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 15/21; University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne 17/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free; University of Saint Francis - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
  • 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 (96%) than Northeastern Illinois University (74.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University vs. 21.5% at University of Saint Francis.

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

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern Illinois University and University of Saint Francis? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Northeastern Illinois University's (23%).
  • Graduates from University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than University of Saint Francis graduates ($14,500 vs. $25,250).
  • Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.