Northern Illinois vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 2,844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Carthage? 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 Northern Illinois University than Carthage ($14,243 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carthage College are 5% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,450 vs. $14,160).
• Carthage College is 192.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $25,502 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 192.5% higher at Carthage than at Northern Illinois University (about $25,502 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 65.3% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($23,784 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Carthage? 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 Carthage and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carthage College (1100) is 40 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Carthage (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Carthage - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carthage students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Northern Illinois vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Carthage? 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).

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Carthage College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 61%)

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.