Northern Illinois vs. Olivet Nazarene University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Olivet Nazarene University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Olivet Nazarene University 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. Olivet Nazarene University comparison
Northern Illinois University Olivet Nazarene University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Olivet Nazarene University
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Overview

Northern Illinois Olivet Nazarene University
Location Dekalb, IL Bourbonnais, IL
Setting Small Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 15,649 3,255
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #555
Religious Affiliation - Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu olivet.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Olivet Nazarene University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $36,950
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $36,950
Room & Board $11,420 $9,790
Avg Net Price $13,884 $20,059
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $29,708
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Northern Illinois Olivet Nazarene University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 6,196
Admitted 18,348 3,581
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 57.8%
Enrolled % 13.3% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.38
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 940/1170 970/1200
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 Olivet Nazarene University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Olivet Nazarene University
Graduation Rate 56% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $258

Diversity

Northern Illinois Olivet Nazarene University
% Men 46% 40%
% Women 54% 60%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 79%
% Black 16% 8%
% Hispanic 15% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northern Illinois Olivet Nazarene University
% In-State 93% 55%
% Out-of-State 5% 43%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Olivet Nazarene University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 3,255 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Olivet Nazarene University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Olivet Nazarene University?

  • Olivet Nazarene University is 277.4% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($36,950.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 277.4% higher at Olivet Nazarene University than Northern Illinois University ($36,950.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Olivet Nazarene University ($13,884 vs. $20,059)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Olivet Nazarene University are 16.6% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($9,790 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Olivet Nazarene University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Olivet Nazarene University students is 136.7% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($29,708 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Olivet Nazarene University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Olivet Nazarene University (1078) is 49 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming Olivet Nazarene University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman Olivet Nazarene University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than Olivet Nazarene University (57.8%)

Northern Illinois vs. Olivet Nazarene University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Olivet Nazarene University? 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 Olivet Nazarene University and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is the same as at Olivet Nazarene University (56% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $5,000 more per year than Olivet Nazarene University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $42,600)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Olivet Nazarene University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $25,000)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Olivet Nazarene University graduates. ($246 vs. $258)
  • More Olivet Nazarene University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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