Northern Illinois vs. KWC

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northern Illinois vs. KWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or KWC? 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 KWC ($14,243 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 16.3% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,855 vs. $14,160).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 161.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $21,425 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.7% higher at KWC than at Northern Illinois University (about $21,425 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 77.5% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($25,538 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. KWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or KWC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between KWC and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 50 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; KWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Northern Illinois students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at KWC (3.3).
• KWC has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 17.7% at KWC.

Northern Illinois vs. KWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and KWC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $952 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($22,907 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($236 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

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.