Northern Illinois vs. St. Kate's

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than St. Kate's based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 3,651 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); St Catherine University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; St Catherine University 9:1.

Northern Illinois vs. St. Kate's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's ($14,243 vs. $20,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Catherine University are 13.9% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,188 vs. $14,160).
• St Catherine University is 288.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $38,206 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 288.4% higher at St. Kate's than at Northern Illinois University (about $38,206 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Catherine University than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 178.7% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($40,092 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. St. Kate's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 60 points higher than at St. Kate's (1000).
• Incoming St. Kate's students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; St Catherine University 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; St Catherine University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; St. Kate's - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• St. Kate's has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 18.8% at St. Kate's.

Northern Illinois vs. St. Kate's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and St. Kate's? 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).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $4,141 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($23,859 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($246 vs. $289).
• More St. Kate's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.