Northern Illinois vs. Brescia University

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

Northern Illinois Brescia University
Location Dekalb, IL Owensboro, KY
Setting Small Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,649 646
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu brescia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Brescia University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $27,000
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $27,000
Room & Board $11,420 $10,540
Avg Net Price $13,884 $16,127
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $24,180
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 87%

Admission

Northern Illinois Brescia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 1,936
Admitted 18,348 975
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 50.4%
Enrolled % 13.3% 10.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.02
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/25
SAT Range 940/1170 920/1190
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, 2025

Academics

Northern Illinois Brescia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Brescia University
Graduation Rate 56% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $42,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $29,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $299

Diversity

Northern Illinois Brescia University
% Men 46% 35%
% Women 54% 65%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 66%
% Black 16% 14%
% Hispanic 15% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 12%

Students

Northern Illinois Brescia University
% In-State 93% 56%
% Out-of-State 5% 40%

Campus

Northern Illinois Brescia University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Brescia University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 646 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Brescia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Brescia University?

  • Brescia University is 175.8% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($27,000.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 175.8% higher at Brescia University than Northern Illinois University ($27,000.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Brescia University ($13,884 vs. $16,127)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brescia University are 8.3% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,540 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Brescia University (99% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brescia University students is 92.6% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($24,180 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Brescia University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 26 points higher than at Brescia University (1003)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Brescia University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Brescia University (3.02)
  • Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than Brescia University (50.4%)

Northern Illinois vs. Brescia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Brescia 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 Brescia University and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Brescia University (56% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Brescia University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $42,400)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $5,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Brescia University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $29,000)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $53 less per month on federal student loans than Brescia University graduates. ($246 vs. $299)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brescia University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 49%)

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