Northern Illinois vs. Clarke University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Clarke University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Clarke 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.

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 vs. Clarke University comparison
Northern Illinois University Clarke University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Northern Illinois Clarke University
Location Dekalb, IL Dubuque, IA
Setting Small Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,649 965
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu clarke.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Clarke University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $36,900
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $36,900
Room & Board $11,420 $10,600
Avg Net Price $13,884 $27,275
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $25,403
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Northern Illinois Clarke University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 2,665
Admitted 18,348 2,260
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 84.8%
Enrolled % 13.3% 8.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/23
SAT Range 940/1170 920/1160
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 Clarke 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 (24%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Clarke University
Graduation Rate 56% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $42,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $268

Diversity

Northern Illinois Clarke University
% Men 46% 51%
% Women 54% 49%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 85%
% Black 16% 4%
% Hispanic 15% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northern Illinois Clarke University
% In-State 93% 25%
% Out-of-State 5% 65%

Campus

Northern Illinois Clarke 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 Clarke University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 965 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Clarke University Cost Comparison

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

  • Clarke University is 276.9% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($36,900.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 276.9% higher at Clarke University than Northern Illinois University ($36,900.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Clarke University ($13,884 vs. $27,275)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarke University are 7.7% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,600 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarke University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarke University students is 102.4% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($25,403 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Clarke University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Clarke University (1045) is 16 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming Clarke University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman Clarke University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Clarke University has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Clarke University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Clarke University is higher than Northern Illinois University (60% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Clarke University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $42,800)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $2,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarke University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $26,000)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Clarke University graduates. ($246 vs. $268)
  • More Clarke University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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