Northern Illinois vs. IU South Bend

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Indiana University South Bend? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or IU South Bend is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northern Illinois University vs. Indiana University South Bend comparison
Northern Illinois University Indiana University South Bend College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Indiana University South Bend
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Overview

Northern Illinois IU South Bend
Location Dekalb, IL South Bend, IN
Setting Small Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,649 4,326
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #917
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu iusb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois IU South Bend
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $7,274
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $20,634
Room & Board $11,420 $9,190
Avg Net Price $13,884 $8,785
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $7,821
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95%

Admission

Northern Illinois IU South Bend
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 2,348
Admitted 18,348 2,040
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 86.9%
Enrolled % 13.3% 37.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/22
SAT Range 940/1170 970/1190
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 IU South Bend
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois IU South Bend
Graduation Rate 56% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $24,530
Median Loan Payment $246 $253

Diversity

Northern Illinois IU South Bend
% Men 46% 33%
% Women 54% 67%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 74%
% Black 16% 8%
% Hispanic 15% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northern Illinois IU South Bend
% In-State 93% 95%
% Out-of-State 5% 4%

Campus

Northern Illinois IU South Bend
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than IU South Bend based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 4,326 students)

Northern Illinois vs. IU South Bend Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or IU South Bend?

  • Northern Illinois University is 34.6% more expensive to attend than IU South Bend for in-state tuition ($9,790.00 vs. $7,274.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 110.8% higher at IU South Bend than Northern Illinois University ($20,634.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University South Bend than Northern Illinois ($8,785 vs. $13,884)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 24.3% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($9,190 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Indiana University South Bend (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 60.5% larger than aid received Indiana University South Bend ($12,552 vs. $7,821)

Northern Illinois vs. IU South Bend Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or IU South Bend? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between IU South Bend or Northern Illinois .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 74 points higher than at IU South Bend (955)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at IU South Bend (21)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at IU South Bend (3.24)
  • IU South Bend has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. IU South Bend Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or IU South Bend? 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 IU South Bend and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Indiana University South Bend (56% vs. 22%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $10,500 more per year than IU South Bend graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $37,100)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $671 lower median federal student loan debt than IU South Bend graduates. ($23,859 vs. $24,530)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than IU South Bend graduates. ($246 vs. $253)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/