Northern Illinois vs. Capital University

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

Northern Illinois Capital University
Location Dekalb, IL Columbus, OH
Setting Small Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 15,649 2,617
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #543
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu capital.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Capital University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $39,900
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $39,900
Room & Board $11,420 $12,308
Avg Net Price $13,884 $24,439
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $28,469
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Northern Illinois Capital University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 4,370
Admitted 18,348 3,153
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 72.2%
Enrolled % 13.3% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.63
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 940/1170 960/1186
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Northern Illinois Capital University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Capital University
Graduation Rate 56% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $47,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $279

Diversity

Northern Illinois Capital University
% Men 46% 40%
% Women 54% 60%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 75%
% Black 16% 10%
% Hispanic 15% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Northern Illinois Capital University
% In-State 93% 94%
% Out-of-State 5% 4%

Campus

Northern Illinois Capital 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 Capital University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 2,617 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Capital University Cost Comparison

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

  • Capital University is 307.6% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($39,900.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 307.6% higher at Capital University than Northern Illinois University ($39,900.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Capital University ($13,884 vs. $24,439)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 7.8% lower than costs at Capital University ($11,420 vs. $12,308)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Capital University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 126.8% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($28,469 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Capital University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Capital University (1133) is 104 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming Capital University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman Capital University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Capital University has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Capital University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Capital University is higher than Northern Illinois University (61% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $300 more per year than Capital University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $47,300)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $3,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Capital University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $27,000)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Capital University graduates. ($246 vs. $279)
  • More Capital University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

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