Northern Illinois vs. Grace College and Theological Seminary

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Grace College and Theological Seminary based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 2,304 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Grace College and Theological Seminary is in Winona Lake, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grace College and Theological Seminary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Grace College and Theological Seminary 23:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Grace College and Theological Seminary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Grace College and Theological Seminary? 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 Grace College and Theological Seminary ($14,243 vs. $21,065).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grace College and Theological Seminary are 22.5% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,980 vs. $14,160).
• Grace College and Theological Seminary is 135.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $17,952 more per year; $31,200.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.5% higher at Grace College and Theological Seminary than at Northern Illinois University (about $17,952 more per year; $31,200.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grace College and Theological Seminary than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grace College and Theological Seminary students is 45% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($20,866 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. Grace College and Theological Seminary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Grace College and Theological Seminary? 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 Grace College and Theological Seminary and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grace College and Theological Seminary (1100) is 40 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Grace College and Theological Seminary students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Grace College and Theological Seminary 1000/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Grace College and Theological Seminary 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Grace College and Theological Seminary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; Grace College and Theological Seminary Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grace College and Theological Seminary students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Grace College and Theological Seminary has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 11% at Grace College and Theological Seminary.

Northern Illinois vs. Grace College and Theological Seminary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Grace College and Theological Seminary? 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).

• The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is the same as at Grace College and Theological Seminary (56% vs. 56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Grace College and Theological Seminary graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grace College and Theological Seminary graduates have a $2,359 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, Grace College and Theological Seminary graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($222 vs. $246).
• More Grace College and Theological Seminary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.