Northern Illinois vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

Northern Illinois vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or AQ? 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 AQ ($14,243 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 17.5% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,680 vs. $14,160).
• Aquinas College is 203.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $26,970 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 203.6% higher at AQ than at Northern Illinois University (about $26,970 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 133.1% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($33,535 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. AQ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 30 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ 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; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; AQ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 11.8% at AQ.

Northern Illinois vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and AQ? 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).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $2,141 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($23,859 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($246 vs. $268).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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.