Northern Illinois vs. University of Missouri-St Louis

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with University of Missouri St Louis in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than University of Missouri-St Louis based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 14,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); University of Missouri St Louis is in Saint Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri St Louis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; University of Missouri St Louis 13:1.

Northern Illinois vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri St Louis than Northern Illinois ($14,008 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri St Louis are 4.6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,502 vs. $14,160).
• University of Missouri St Louis is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $864 more per year; $14,112.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165% higher at University of Missouri-St Louis than at Northern Illinois University (about $21,864 more per year; $35,112.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri St Louis than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri St Louis students is 18.8% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($17,096 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 University of Missouri-St Louis and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri St Louis (1180) is 120 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming University of Missouri-St Louis 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; University of Missouri St Louis 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; University of Missouri St Louis 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; University of Missouri-St Louis - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Missouri-St Louis students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than University of Missouri-St Louis (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 12.6% at University of Missouri-St Louis.

Northern Illinois vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri St Louis's (51%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than University of Missouri-St Louis graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri St Louis graduates have a $2,872 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($20,987 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-St Louis graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($217 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-St Louis students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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.