Northern Illinois vs. Trinity Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Trinity Christian College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 854 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Trinity Christian College is in Palos Heights, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Trinity Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Trinity Christian College 10:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Trinity Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Trinity Christian College? 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 Trinity Christian College ($14,243 vs. $19,655).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity Christian College are 19.1% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,450 vs. $14,160).
• Trinity Christian College is 55.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $7,357 more per year; $20,605.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at Trinity Christian College than at Northern Illinois University (about $7,357 more per year; $20,605.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity Christian College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity Christian College students is 4% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($14,966 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. Trinity Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Trinity Christian College? 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 Trinity Christian College and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Trinity Christian College (1190) is 130 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Trinity Christian College (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Trinity Christian College 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Trinity Christian College 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Trinity Christian College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Trinity Christian College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Trinity Christian College has a higher acceptance rate (84.9%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 23.2% at Trinity Christian College.

Northern Illinois vs. Trinity Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Trinity Christian College? 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).

• Trinity Christian College's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Trinity Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $696 lower median loan debt than Trinity Christian College graduates ($23,859 vs. $24,555).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity Christian College graduates ($246 vs. $253).
• More Trinity Christian College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.