Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
ISU Southern Illinois University UIC Western Illinois University DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Bradley University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Loyola Northwest| Northern Illinois University | Capital University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
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 |
|
|
||
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/