Northern Illinois vs. Northwood University-Michigan

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Northwood University Michigan? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Northwood University-Michigan is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Northern Illinois University vs. Northwood University Michigan comparison
Northern Illinois University Northwood University Michigan College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Northwood University Michigan
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Overview

 Northern Illinois Northwood University-Michigan
Location Dekalb, IL Midland, MI
Setting Small Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 15,649 2,246
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #511
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu northwood.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northern Illinois Northwood University-Michigan
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $30,020
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $30,020
Room & Board $11,420 $12,120
Avg Net Price $13,884 $24,616
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $20,925
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

 Northern Illinois Northwood University-Michigan
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 1,368
Admitted 18,348 1,090
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 79.7%
Enrolled % 13.3% 22.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 17/23
SAT Range 940/1170 950/1160
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Northern Illinois Northwood University-Michigan
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (93%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)
  • Health Professions (1%)
  • Communication (1%)

Outcomes

 Northern Illinois Northwood University-Michigan
Graduation Rate 56% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $50,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $21,775
Median Loan Payment $246 $225

Diversity

 Northern Illinois Northwood University-Michigan
% Men 46% 61%
% Women 54% 39%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 67%
% Black 16% 9%
% Hispanic 15% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 13%

Students

 Northern Illinois Northwood University-Michigan
% In-State 93% 83%
% Out-of-State 5% 15%

Campus

 Northern Illinois Northwood University-Michigan
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Northwood University-Michigan based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 2,246 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Northwood University-Michigan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Northwood University-Michigan?

  • Northwood University Michigan is 206.6% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($30,020.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 206.6% higher at Northwood University-Michigan than Northern Illinois University ($30,020.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Northwood University-Michigan ($13,884 vs. $24,616)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 6.1% lower than costs at Northwood University Michigan ($11,420 vs. $12,120)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University as Northwood University Michigan (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwood University Michigan students is 66.7% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($20,925 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Northwood University-Michigan Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Northwood University-Michigan? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northwood University-Michigan or Northern Illinois .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 3 points higher than at Northwood University-Michigan (1026)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Northwood University-Michigan (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northwood University-Michigan students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Northwood University-Michigan has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Northwood University-Michigan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Northwood University-Michigan? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northwood University-Michigan and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Northwood University Michigan (56% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Northwood University Michigan earn on average $2,900 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $47,600)
  • Northwood University Michigan students graduate with a $2,084 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($21,775 vs. $23,859)
  • Northwood University-Michigan graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($225 vs. $246)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwood University-Michigan students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/