Northern Illinois vs. Cornerstone University

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

 Northern Illinois Cornerstone University
Location Dekalb, IL Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Small Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,649 1,781
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #867
Religious Affiliation - Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu cornerstone.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northern Illinois Cornerstone University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $27,580
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $27,580
Room & Board $11,420 $10,520
Avg Net Price $13,884 $20,935
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $18,502
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Northern Illinois Cornerstone University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 1,926
Admitted 18,348 1,575
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 81.8%
Enrolled % 13.3% 18.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.28
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 20/25
SAT Range 940/1170 970/1220
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Northern Illinois Cornerstone University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (56%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

 Northern Illinois Cornerstone University
Graduation Rate 56% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $258

Diversity

 Northern Illinois Cornerstone University
% Men 46% 40%
% Women 54% 60%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 78%
% Black 16% 13%
% Hispanic 15% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 Northern Illinois Cornerstone University
% In-State 93% 80%
% Out-of-State 5% 14%

Campus

 Northern Illinois Cornerstone 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 Cornerstone University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 1,781 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Cornerstone University Cost Comparison

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

  • Cornerstone University is 181.7% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($27,580.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 181.7% higher at Cornerstone University than Northern Illinois University ($27,580.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Cornerstone University ($13,884 vs. $20,935)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornerstone University are 8.6% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,520 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cornerstone University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornerstone University students is 47.4% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($18,502 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Cornerstone University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cornerstone University (1033) is 4 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Cornerstone University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Cornerstone University (3.28)
  • Cornerstone University has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Cornerstone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Cornerstone University (56% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $8,800 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $38,800)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Cornerstone University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $25,000)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Cornerstone University graduates. ($246 vs. $258)
  • More Cornerstone University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 61%)

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