Northern Illinois vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Northwest Missouri State University is in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Northwest Missouri State University 16:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Northwest? 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 Northwest ($14,243 vs. $16,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Missouri State University are 13.3% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,282 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 24.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest (about $2,637 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $10,611.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.8% higher at Northwest than at Northern Illinois University (about $4,076 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Northwest Missouri State University (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 58.1% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($14,387 vs. $9,101).

Northern Illinois vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwest Missouri State University (1080) is 20 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 Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

Northern Illinois vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,141 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($23,859 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More Northwest 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.