Northern Illinois vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 352 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Penn State Greater Allegheny ($14,243 vs. $15,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 2.2% lower than at Penn State Greater Allegheny ($14,160 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Greater Allegheny is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $1,160 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.2% higher at Penn State Greater Allegheny than at Northern Illinois University (about $10,886 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (98% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($14,387 vs. $11,121).

Northern Illinois vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Penn State Greater Allegheny? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Greater Allegheny and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180) is 120 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Northern Illinois vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Penn State Greater Allegheny? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Penn State Greater Allegheny's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $2,959 lower median loan debt than Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates ($23,859 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates ($246 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.