Northern Illinois vs. Madonna University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Madonna University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Madonna 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ISU Southern Illinois University UIC Western Illinois University DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Bradley University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Loyola Northwest
Northern Illinois University vs. Madonna University comparison
Northern Illinois University Madonna University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Madonna University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Northern Illinois Madonna University
Location Dekalb, IL Livonia, MI
Setting Small Suburban Small City
Enrollment 15,504 2,054
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #488 #732
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu madonna.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Madonna University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $27,360
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $27,360
Room & Board $12,800 $12,840
Avg Net Price $13,533 $18,583
Avg Grant Aid $13,565 $19,907
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

Northern Illinois Madonna University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,177 1,655
Admitted 17,033 1,538
Acceptance Rate 70.5% 92.9%
Enrolled % 12.9% 17.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.35
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 940/1170 890/1120
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, 2026

Academics

Northern Illinois Madonna University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (32%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Madonna University
Graduation Rate 56% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $42,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $258

Diversity

Northern Illinois Madonna University
% Men 11% 4%
% Women 16% 12%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 63%
% Black 16% 12%
% Hispanic 15% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 16%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northern Illinois Madonna University
% In-State 93% 86%
% Out-of-State 5% 12%

Campus

Northern Illinois Madonna 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 Madonna University based on total student enrollment (15,504 students vs. 2,054 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Madonna University Cost Comparison

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

  • Madonna University is 179.5% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($27,360.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 179.5% higher at Madonna University than Northern Illinois University ($27,360.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Madonna University ($13,533 vs. $18,583)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 0.3% lower than costs at Madonna University ($12,800 vs. $12,840)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Madonna University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Madonna University students is 46.8% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($19,907 vs. $13,565)

Northern Illinois vs. Madonna University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Madonna University (1030) is 1 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Madonna University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Madonna University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Madonna University has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Northern Illinois (70.5%)

Northern Illinois vs. Madonna University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Madonna 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 Madonna University and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Madonna University (56% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Madonna University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $42,400)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Madonna University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $25,000)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Madonna University graduates. ($246 vs. $258)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madonna University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

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