Northern Illinois vs. Northeastern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 5,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Northeastern Illinois University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Northeastern Illinois University 9:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Northeastern Illinois University? 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 Northeastern Illinois University than Northern Illinois ($14,140 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 26.6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,390 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern Illinois University (about $865 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $12,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.5% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than at Northern Illinois University (about $9,478 more per year; $22,726.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Northeastern Illinois University (98% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students ($14,387 vs. $12,876).

Northern Illinois vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 150 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (910).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Northeastern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Northeastern Illinois University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1).
• Northeastern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (74.6%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University.

Northern Illinois vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Northeastern Illinois University? 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 Northeastern Illinois University's (23%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $9,359 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($14,500 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($149 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 56%)

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.