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ISU Southern Illinois University UIC Western Illinois University DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Bradley University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Loyola Northwest| Northern Illinois University | Bluffton University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Northern Illinois | Bluffton University | ||
| Location | Dekalb, IL | Bluffton, OH | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 15,504 | 678 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #488 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Mennonite Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | niu.edu | bluffton.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northern Illinois | Bluffton University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,790 | $35,498 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,790 | $35,498 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,800 | $11,866 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,533 | $21,299 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $13,565 | $29,291 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
Northern Illinois | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 24,177 | 2,873 | ||
| Admitted | 17,033 | 1,757 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 70.5% | 61.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.9% | 10.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.3 | 3.26 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | Low | ||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1170 | 920/1130 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2026 |
Academics |
Northern Illinois | Bluffton University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 10:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northern Illinois | Bluffton University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 59% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,600 | $40,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 67% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,859 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $246 | $279 |
Diversity |
Northern Illinois | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 11% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 16% | 7% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 57% | 85% | ||
| % Black | 16% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 15% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
Northern Illinois | Bluffton University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 79% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 19% | ||
Campus |
Northern Illinois | Bluffton University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Illinois University is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (15,504 students vs. 678 students)
Northern Illinois vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Bluffton University?
- Bluffton University is 262.6% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- Out of state tuition is 262.6% higher at Bluffton University than Northern Illinois University ($35,498.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Bluffton University ($13,533 vs. $21,299)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 7.9% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($11,866 vs. $12,800)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 115.9% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($29,291 vs. $13,565)
Northern Illinois vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Bluffton University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bluffton University or Northern Illinois .
- The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 57 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
- Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Bluffton University (21)
- Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
- Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (70.5%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)
Northern Illinois vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northern Illinois or Bluffton 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 Bluffton University and Northern Illinois.
- The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Northern Illinois University (59% vs. 56%)
- Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $7,000 more per year than Bluffton University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $40,600)
- Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $3,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $27,000)
- Northern Illinois graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($246 vs. $279)
- More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 61%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/