Northern Illinois vs. Albion College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Albion College in Albion, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Albion College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,308 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Albion College is in Albion, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Albion College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Albion College 11:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Albion College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Albion College? 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 Northern Illinois University than Albion College ($14,243 vs. $16,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Albion College are 9.4% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,830 vs. $14,160).
• Albion College is 329.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $43,702 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 329.9% higher at Albion College than at Northern Illinois University (about $43,702 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Albion College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Albion College students is 270.5% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($53,298 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. Albion College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Albion College? 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 Albion College and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Albion College (1050).
• Incoming Albion College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Albion College 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Albion College 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Albion College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Albion College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Albion College has a higher acceptance rate (80.7%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 6.9% at Albion College.

Northern Illinois vs. Albion College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Albion College? 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).

• Albion College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Albion College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,600 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,341 lower median loan debt than Albion College graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,200).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Albion College graduates ($246 vs. $281).
• More Albion College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 61%)

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.