Northern Illinois vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Northern Illinois vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or NKU? 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 Kentucky University than Northern Illinois ($9,211 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 10.2% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,712 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $2,160 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $11,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.4% higher at NKU than at Northern Illinois University (about $8,664 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University as at Northern Kentucky University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 39.2% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($14,387 vs. $10,332).

Northern Illinois vs. NKU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 10 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Northern Illinois vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and NKU? 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 Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than NKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,091 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($23,859 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($246 vs. $257).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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.