Northern Illinois vs. Georgetown College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Georgetown College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,345 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Georgetown College is in Georgetown, KY (Town Fringe setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Georgetown College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Georgetown College 13:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Georgetown College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Georgetown College? 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 Northern Illinois University than Georgetown College ($14,243 vs. $15,160).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgetown College are 17.5% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,684 vs. $14,160).
• Georgetown College is 223.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $29,592 more per year; $42,840.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 223.4% higher at Georgetown College than at Northern Illinois University (about $29,592 more per year; $42,840.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgetown College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Georgetown College students is 190.1% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($41,739 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. Georgetown College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is the same as at Georgetown College (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Georgetown College (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Georgetown College 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Georgetown College 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Georgetown College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgetown College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Georgetown College has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 26% at Georgetown College.

Northern Illinois vs. Georgetown College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Georgetown College? 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).

• Georgetown College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Georgetown College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than Georgetown College graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgetown College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Georgetown College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.