Northern Illinois vs. IUPUI

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Indiana University Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Indianapolis is larger than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (22,534 students vs. 15,414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Indiana University Indianapolis is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Indiana University Indianapolis 13:1.

Northern Illinois vs. IUPUI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or IUPUI? 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 Indiana University Indianapolis than Northern Illinois ($12,228 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Indianapolis are 6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,308 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IUPUI (about $2,486 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $10,762.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.4% higher at IUPUI than at Northern Illinois University (about $21,643 more per year; $34,891.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Indiana University Indianapolis (98% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 29.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University Indianapolis students ($14,387 vs. $11,104).

Northern Illinois vs. IUPUI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Indianapolis (1140) is 80 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming IUPUI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Indiana University Indianapolis 1030/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Indiana University Indianapolis 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; IUPUI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; IUPUI May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IUPUI students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• IUPUI has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 24.6% at IUPUI.

Northern Illinois vs. IUPUI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Indiana University Indianapolis's (33%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Indianapolis earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Indianapolis graduates have a $769 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($23,090 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, IUPUI graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($238 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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.