Northern Illinois vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Purdue Northwest based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 9,051 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northern Illinois vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than Northern Illinois ($7,916 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 37.1% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($8,907 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 52.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $4,573 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at Purdue Northwest than at Northern Illinois University (about $2,846 more per year; $16,094.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Purdue University Northwest (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 105.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($14,387 vs. $6,992).

Northern Illinois vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 40 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• Purdue Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

Northern Illinois vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Purdue Northwest? 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).

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.