Northern Illinois vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tarleton State University is larger than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 15,414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton ($14,243 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 22.9% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,920 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 59.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $4,946 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at Tarleton than at Northern Illinois University (about $4,894 more per year; $18,142.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Tarleton State University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 81.4% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($14,387 vs. $7,929).

Northern Illinois vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Tarleton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

Northern Illinois vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Tarleton? 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).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $4,109 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($204 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 56%)

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.