Northern Illinois vs. UM-Flint

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with University of Michigan Flint in Flint, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than UM-Flint based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 6,529 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); University of Michigan Flint is in Flint, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Flint is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; University of Michigan Flint 14:1.

Northern Illinois vs. UM-Flint Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or UM-Flint? 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 University of Michigan Flint than Northern Illinois ($7,852 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Flint are 0.8% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($14,042 vs. $14,160).
• University of Michigan Flint is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $1,456 more per year; $14,704.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.8% higher at UM-Flint than at Northern Illinois University (about $15,072 more per year; $28,320.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University as at University of Michigan Flint (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 14.3% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Flint students ($14,387 vs. $12,591).

Northern Illinois vs. UM-Flint Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or UM-Flint? 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 UM-Flint and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Flint (1110) is 50 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 UM-Flint).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; University of Michigan Flint 970/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; University of Michigan Flint 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; UM-Flint - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; UM-Flint Aug 22, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Flint students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• UM-Flint has a higher acceptance rate (70.5%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 6.6% at UM-Flint.

Northern Illinois vs. UM-Flint Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and UM-Flint? 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 University of Michigan Flint's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than UM-Flint graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than UM-Flint graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Flint graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Flint students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 40%)

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.