Northern Illinois vs. IU Southeast

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than IU Southeast based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 3,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northern Illinois vs. IU Southeast Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or IU Southeast? 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 Southeast than Northern Illinois ($9,102 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Southeast are 15.7% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,940 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 57.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Southeast (about $4,824 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.2% higher at IU Southeast than at Northern Illinois University (about $9,563 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Indiana University Southeast (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 95.8% larger than aid received by Indiana University Southeast students ($14,387 vs. $7,347).

Northern Illinois vs. IU Southeast Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Southeast (1080) is 20 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at IU Southeast (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Indiana University Southeast 970/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Indiana University Southeast 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; IU Southeast - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IU Southeast students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• IU Southeast has a higher acceptance rate (84.5%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 39.7% at IU Southeast.

Northern Illinois vs. IU Southeast Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and IU Southeast? 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 Southeast's (27%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than IU Southeast graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Southeast graduates have a $3,598 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($20,261 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, IU Southeast graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($209 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Southeast 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.