Northern Illinois vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Northern Illinois vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or NSU? 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 NSU ($14,243 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 25.1% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,600 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 49.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,403 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Northern Illinois than at Northern State University (about $1,301 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Northern State University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 123.4% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($14,387 vs. $6,441).

Northern Illinois vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Northern Illinois vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and NSU? 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 State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $540 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($23,859 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($246 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.