Northern Illinois vs. Lindenwood University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Lindenwood University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Lindenwood University 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. Lindenwood University comparison
Northern Illinois University Lindenwood University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Lindenwood University
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Overview

Northern Illinois Lindenwood University
Location Dekalb, IL Saint Charles, MO
Setting Small Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,649 7,000
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #755
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu lindenwood.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Lindenwood University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $19,100
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $19,100
Room & Board $11,420 $10,200
Avg Net Price $13,884 $18,016
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $15,840
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Northern Illinois Lindenwood University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 4,372
Admitted 18,348 3,236
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 74%
Enrolled % 13.3% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25 21/27
SAT Range 940/1170 1023/1230
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 Lindenwood University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (42%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Lindenwood University
Graduation Rate 56% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $44,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $279

Diversity

Northern Illinois Lindenwood University
% Men 46% 38%
% Women 54% 62%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 56%
% Black 16% 13%
% Hispanic 15% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 12%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

Northern Illinois Lindenwood University
% In-State 93% 56%
% Out-of-State 5% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Lindenwood University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 7,000 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Lindenwood University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Lindenwood University?

  • Lindenwood University is 95.1% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($19,100.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 95.1% higher at Lindenwood University than Northern Illinois University ($19,100.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Lindenwood University ($13,884 vs. $18,016)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lindenwood University are 12% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,200 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lindenwood University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lindenwood University students is 26.2% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($15,840 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Lindenwood University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lindenwood University (1043) is 14 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming Lindenwood University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman Lindenwood University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Lindenwood University has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Lindenwood University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Lindenwood University? 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 Lindenwood University and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Lindenwood University (56% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $3,500 more per year than Lindenwood University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $44,100)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $3,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Lindenwood University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $27,000)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Lindenwood University graduates. ($246 vs. $279)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lindenwood University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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