Northern Illinois vs. Dominican

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Dominican University in River Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Dominican based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Dominican University is in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Dominican University 12:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Dominican Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Dominican? 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 Dominican University than Northern Illinois ($13,402 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University are 10.2% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,716 vs. $14,160).
• Dominican University is 194.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $25,730 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 194.2% higher at Dominican than at Northern Illinois University (about $25,730 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 113.8% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($30,756 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. Dominican Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 70 points higher than at Dominican (990).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Dominican).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Dominican University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Dominican University 16/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Dominican - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 12.1% at Dominican.

Northern Illinois vs. Dominican Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,141 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($23,859 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More Dominican 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.