Northeastern Illinois University vs. William Penn University

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

Northeastern Illinois University William Penn University
Location Chicago, IL Oskaloosa, IA
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 5,756 1,473
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #957
Religious Affiliation - Friends - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu wmpenn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University William Penn University
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $27,800
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $27,800
Room & Board $10,742 $7,528
Avg Net Price $14,262 $20,922
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $19,052
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 99%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University William Penn University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 1,264
Admitted 2,886 729
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 57.7%
Enrolled % 17.9% 43.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.0
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 16/21
SAT Range 810/1010 850/1080
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 William Penn University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (45%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University William Penn University
Graduation Rate 23% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $149 $248

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University William Penn University
% Men 39% 50%
% Women 61% 50%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 33% 61%
% Black 10% 18%
% Hispanic 37% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University William Penn University
% In-State 97% 36%
% Out-of-State 2% 59%

Campus

Northeastern Illinois University William Penn University
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 William Penn University based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 1,473 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. William Penn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or William Penn University?

  • William Penn University is 175.5% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($27,800.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.7% higher at William Penn University than Northeastern Illinois University ($27,800.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than William Penn University ($14,262 vs. $20,922)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Penn University are 42.7% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($7,528 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at William Penn University than Northeastern Illinois University (99% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by William Penn University students is 25.8% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($19,052 vs. $15,143)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. William Penn University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Northeastern Illinois University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at William Penn University (3.0)
  • Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (62.7%) than William Penn University (57.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. William Penn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or William Penn University? 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 William Penn University and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at William Penn University is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (30% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from William Penn University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $9,500 lower median federal student loan debt than William Penn University graduates. ($14,500 vs. $24,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $99 less per month on federal student loans than William Penn University graduates. ($149 vs. $248)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Penn University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 49%)

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