Northern Illinois vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Northland College 5:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Northland College? 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 Northland College ($14,243 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 18.1% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,600 vs. $14,160).
• Northland College is 235.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $31,155 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 235.2% higher at Northland College than at Northern Illinois University (about $31,155 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 133.3% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($33,572 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Northland College (1050).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Northland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Northland College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Northland College (3.3).
• Northland College has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Northern Illinois vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Northland College? 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 Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,084 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($23,859 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($246 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.