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ISU Southern Illinois University UIC Western Illinois University GVSU DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Bradley CMU University of Wisconsin-Whitewater| Northern Illinois University | Ferris State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Northern Illinois | Ferris State University | ||
| Location | Dekalb, IL | Big Rapids, MI | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 15,649 | 10,072 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #454 | #791 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | niu.edu | ferris.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northern Illinois | Ferris State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,790 | $13,076 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,790 | $13,076 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,420 | $10,268 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,884 | $13,978 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $12,552 | $11,128 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 94% |
Admission |
Northern Illinois | Ferris State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 25,961 | 12,228 | ||
| Admitted | 18,348 | 10,746 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 70.7% | 87.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.3% | 16.2% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.3 | 3.3 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 18/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1170 | 910/1150 | ||
| 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 | Ferris State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northern Illinois | Ferris State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 45% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,600 | $47,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 58% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,859 | $24,179 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $246 | $250 |
Diversity |
Northern Illinois | Ferris State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 45% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 55% | ||
| 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% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Northern Illinois | Ferris State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 92% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 6% | ||
Campus |
Northern Illinois | Ferris State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Illinois University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 10,072 students)
Northern Illinois vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Ferris State University?
- Ferris State University is 33.6% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- Out of state tuition is 33.6% higher at Ferris State University than Northern Illinois University ($13,076.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Ferris State University ($13,884 vs. $13,978)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 11.2% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,268 vs. $11,420)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Ferris State University (99% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 12.8% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($12,552 vs. $11,128)
Northern Illinois vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Ferris State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Ferris State University or Northern Illinois .
- The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 20 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
- Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Ferris State University (22)
- Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have at the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Ferris State University (3.3)
- Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)
Northern Illinois vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northern Illinois or Ferris State 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 Ferris State University and Northern Illinois.
- The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Ferris State University (56% vs. 45%)
- Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $600 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $47,000)
- Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $320 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $24,179)
- Northern Illinois graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($246 vs. $250)
- More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/