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 GVSU CMU DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Oakland Bradley| Northern Illinois University | Saginaw Valley State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Northern Illinois | Saginaw Valley State University | ||
| Location | Dekalb, IL | University Center, MI | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 15,504 | 6,889 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #488 | #888 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | niu.edu | svsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northern Illinois | Saginaw Valley State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,790 | $12,240 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,790 | $28,752 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,800 | $11,700 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,533 | $15,144 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $13,565 | $9,611 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 98% |
Admission |
Northern Illinois | Saginaw Valley State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 24,177 | 10,222 | ||
| Admitted | 17,033 | 7,450 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 70.5% | 72.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.9% | 17.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.3 | 3.48 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | Low | ||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1170 | 940/1160 | ||
| 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, 2026 |
Academics |
Northern Illinois | Saginaw Valley State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 15:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Northern Illinois | Saginaw Valley State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 39% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,600 | $41,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 48% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,859 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $246 | $279 |
Diversity |
Northern Illinois | Saginaw Valley State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 11% | 2% | ||
| % Women | 16% | 8% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 57% | 71% | ||
| % Black | 16% | 9% | ||
| % Hispanic | 15% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 2% | 8% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 6% |
Students |
Northern Illinois | Saginaw Valley State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 98% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 2% | ||
Campus |
Northern Illinois | Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (15,504 students vs. 6,889 students)
Northern Illinois vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Saginaw Valley State University?
- Saginaw Valley State University is 25% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($12,240.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- Out of state tuition is 193.7% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than Northern Illinois University ($28,752.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Saginaw Valley State University ($13,533 vs. $15,144)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 9.4% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($11,700 vs. $12,800)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University as Saginaw Valley State University (98% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 41.1% larger than aid received Saginaw Valley State University ($13,565 vs. $9,611)
Northern Illinois vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Saginaw Valley State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Saginaw Valley State University or Northern Illinois .
- The average SAT score at Saginaw Valley State University (1030) is 1 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
- Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Saginaw Valley State University (22)
- Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
- Saginaw Valley State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Northern Illinois (70.5%)
Northern Illinois vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northern Illinois or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Northern Illinois.
- The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Saginaw Valley State University (56% vs. 39%)
- Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $41,000)
- Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $3,141 lower median federal student loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $27,000)
- Northern Illinois graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($246 vs. $279)
- More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/