Northern Illinois vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Northern Illinois vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or MIAD? 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 MIAD ($14,243 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 22.6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,955 vs. $14,160).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 230.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $30,495 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 230.2% higher at MIAD than at Northern Illinois University (about $30,495 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 80.8% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($26,015 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 20 points higher than at MIAD (1040).
• Incoming MIAD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Northern Illinois vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and MIAD? 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).

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIAD students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.