Northern Illinois vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 15,414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Oakland University 17:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than Northern Illinois ($12,208 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 22.8% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,932 vs. $14,160).
• Oakland University is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $2,014 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75% higher at Oakland than at Northern Illinois University (about $9,940 more per year; $23,188.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Oakland University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 10.8% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($14,387 vs. $12,988).

Northern Illinois vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 70 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

Northern Illinois vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,141 lower median loan debt than Oakland graduates ($23,859 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 51%)

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.