Northern Illinois vs. Rockford University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Rockford University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Rockford 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ISU Southern Illinois University UIC Western Illinois University DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Bradley University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Loyola Northwest
Northern Illinois University vs. Rockford University comparison
Northern Illinois University Rockford University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Northern Illinois Rockford University
Location Dekalb, IL Rockford, IL
Setting Small Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,649 1,181
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #810
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu rockford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Rockford University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $34,750
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $34,750
Room & Board $11,420 $10,410
Avg Net Price $13,884 $25,047
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $21,056
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95%

Admission

Northern Illinois Rockford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 2,779
Admitted 18,348 1,526
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 54.9%
Enrolled % 13.3% 11%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25 12/20
SAT Range 940/1170 840/1086
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 Rockford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Rockford University
Graduation Rate 56% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $258

Diversity

Northern Illinois Rockford University
% Men 46% 45%
% Women 54% 55%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 67%
% Black 16% 9%
% Hispanic 15% 14%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Northern Illinois Rockford University
% In-State 93% 70%
% Out-of-State 5% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Rockford University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 1,181 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Rockford University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Rockford University?

  • Rockford University is 255% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($34,750.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 255% higher at Rockford University than Northern Illinois University ($34,750.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Rockford University ($13,884 vs. $25,047)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rockford University are 9.7% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,410 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Rockford University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 67.8% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($21,056 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Rockford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 22 points higher than at Rockford University (1007)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Rockford University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Rockford University (3.25)
  • Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (70.7%) than Rockford University (54.9%)

Northern Illinois vs. Rockford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Rockford 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 Rockford University and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Rockford University (56% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Rockford University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $44,600)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Rockford University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $25,000)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than Rockford University graduates. ($246 vs. $258)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rockford University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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