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ISU Southern Illinois University WMU Eastern Michigan University Michigan State UIC GVSU Western Illinois University WSU Saginaw Valley State University DePaul Michigan| Northern Illinois University | Central Michigan University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Northern Illinois | CMU | ||
| Location | Dekalb, IL | Mount Pleasant, MI | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 15,649 | 14,557 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #454 | #715 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | niu.edu | cmich.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northern Illinois | CMU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,790 | $13,200 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,790 | $13,200 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,420 | $11,248 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,884 | $15,605 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $12,552 | $11,314 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 96% |
Admission |
Northern Illinois | CMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 25,961 | 19,888 | ||
| Admitted | 18,348 | 15,701 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 70.7% | 78.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.3% | 12.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.3 | 3.47 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1170 | 980/1220 | ||
| 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 | CMU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northern Illinois | CMU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 54% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,600 | $44,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 54% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,859 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $246 | $279 |
Diversity |
Northern Illinois | CMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 40% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 60% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 57% | 79% | ||
| % Black | 16% | 8% | ||
| % Hispanic | 15% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 3% |
Students |
Northern Illinois | CMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 90% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 9% | ||
Campus |
Northern Illinois | CMU | ||
| 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 CMU based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 14,557 students)
Northern Illinois vs. CMU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or CMU?
- Central Michigan University is 34.8% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- Out of state tuition is 34.8% higher at CMU than Northern Illinois University ($13,200.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than CMU ($13,884 vs. $15,605)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 1.5% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($11,248 vs. $11,420)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Central Michigan University (99% vs. 96%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 10.9% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($12,552 vs. $11,314)
Northern Illinois vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or CMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CMU or Northern Illinois .
- The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 20 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
- Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northern Illinois (22)
- Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
- CMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)
Northern Illinois vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northern Illinois or CMU? 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 CMU and Northern Illinois.
- The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Central Michigan University (56% vs. 54%)
- Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $3,100 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $44,500)
- Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $3,141 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($23,859 vs. $27,000)
- Northern Illinois graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($246 vs. $279)
- More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/