Northern Illinois vs. ODU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than ODU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,209 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Ohio Dominican University is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Ohio Dominican University 12:1.

Northern Illinois vs. ODU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or ODU? 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 ODU ($14,243 vs. $21,032).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Dominican University are 9% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,882 vs. $14,160).
• Ohio Dominican University is 169.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $22,472 more per year; $35,720.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 169.6% higher at ODU than at Northern Illinois University (about $22,472 more per year; $35,720.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Dominican University than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Dominican University students is 86.2% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($26,790 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. ODU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• 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; ODU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ODU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• ODU has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 11.4% at ODU.

Northern Illinois vs. ODU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and ODU? 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 Ohio Dominican University's (48%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than ODU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $5,266 lower median loan debt than ODU graduates ($23,859 vs. $29,125).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ODU graduates ($246 vs. $301).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ODU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

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.