Northern Illinois vs. Baker College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Baker College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 3,955 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Baker College is in Owosso, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Baker College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Baker College 9:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Baker College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Baker 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 Baker College than Northern Illinois ($13,616 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baker College are 46.3% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($7,600 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Baker College (about $248 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $13,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Northern Illinois than at Baker College (about $248 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $13,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Baker College (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 36.8% larger than aid received by Baker College students ($14,387 vs. $10,514).

Northern Illinois vs. Baker College Admissions comparison

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

• Baker College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is the same as at Baker College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Baker College 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Baker College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; Baker College Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Baker College (3.2).
• Baker College has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 43.5% at Baker College.

Northern Illinois vs. Baker College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Baker 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).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Baker College's (17%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Baker College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $112 lower median loan debt than Baker College graduates ($23,859 vs. $23,971).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Baker College graduates ($246 vs. $247).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baker College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 31%)

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.