Northern Illinois vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

Northern Illinois vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets ($14,243 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Olivet are 11.2% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,567 vs. $14,160).
• The University of Olivet is 157.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $20,820 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.2% higher at OC Comets than at Northern Illinois University (about $20,820 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 93.6% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($27,858 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 40 points higher than at OC Comets (1020).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at OC Comets).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; The University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; OC Comets - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

Northern Illinois vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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.