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ISU Southern Illinois University UIC Western Illinois University DePaul Illinois WMU EIU Bradley University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Loyola Northwest| Northern Illinois University | University of Dubuque | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Northern Illinois | University of Dubuque | ||
| Location | Dekalb, IL | Dubuque, IA | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 15,504 | 1,795 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #488 | #711 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Presbyterian Church (USA) | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | niu.edu | dbq.edu | ||
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Costs |
Northern Illinois | University of Dubuque | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,790 | $38,260 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,790 | $38,260 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,800 | $11,470 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,533 | $25,216 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $13,565 | $25,868 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
Northern Illinois | University of Dubuque | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 24,177 | 1,560 | ||
| Admitted | 17,033 | 1,356 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 70.5% | 86.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.9% | 24% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.3 | 3.24 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1170 | 950/1160 | ||
| 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, 2025 |
Academics |
Northern Illinois | University of Dubuque | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northern Illinois | University of Dubuque | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 41% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,600 | $41,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,859 | $25,674 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $246 | $265 |
Diversity |
Northern Illinois | University of Dubuque | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 11% | 7% | ||
| % Women | 16% | 10% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 57% | 63% | ||
| % Black | 16% | 14% | ||
| % Hispanic | 15% | 9% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 6% |
Students |
Northern Illinois | University of Dubuque | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 25% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 69% | ||
Campus |
Northern Illinois | University of Dubuque | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Illinois University is larger than than University of Dubuque based on total student enrollment (15,504 students vs. 1,795 students)
Northern Illinois vs. University of Dubuque Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or University of Dubuque?
- University of Dubuque is 290.8% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($38,260.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- Out of state tuition is 290.8% higher at University of Dubuque than Northern Illinois University ($38,260.00 vs. $9,790.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than University of Dubuque ($13,533 vs. $25,216)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Dubuque are 11.6% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($11,470 vs. $12,800)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of Dubuque than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dubuque students is 90.7% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($25,868 vs. $13,565)
Northern Illinois vs. University of Dubuque Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or University of Dubuque? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Dubuque or Northern Illinois .
- The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 85 points higher than at University of Dubuque (944)
- Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of Dubuque (20)
- Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of Dubuque (3.24)
- University of Dubuque has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Northern Illinois (70.5%)
Northern Illinois vs. University of Dubuque Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northern Illinois or University of Dubuque? 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 University of Dubuque and Northern Illinois.
- The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than University of Dubuque (56% vs. 41%)
- Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $5,800 more per year than University of Dubuque graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $41,800)
- Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,815 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Dubuque graduates. ($23,859 vs. $25,674)
- Northern Illinois graduates are paying $19 less per month on federal student loans than University of Dubuque graduates. ($246 vs. $265)
- More University of Dubuque graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/