Northern Illinois vs. University of Saint Francis

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or University of Saint Francis is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northern Illinois University vs. University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne comparison
Northern Illinois University University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University
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Overview

Northern Illinois University of Saint Francis
Location Dekalb, IL Fort Wayne, IN
Setting Small Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,649 1,903
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #693
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu sf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois University of Saint Francis
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $32,870
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $32,870
Room & Board $11,420 $11,220
Avg Net Price $13,884 $18,162
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $24,860
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Northern Illinois University of Saint Francis
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 1,391
Admitted 18,348 1,364
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 98.1%
Enrolled % 13.3% 26.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 940/1170 930/1130
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 Saint Francis
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (59%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois University of Saint Francis
Graduation Rate 56% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $25,250
Median Loan Payment $246 $261

Diversity

Northern Illinois University of Saint Francis
% Men 46% 32%
% Women 54% 68%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 81%
% Black 16% 7%
% Hispanic 15% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northern Illinois University of Saint Francis
% In-State 93% 84%
% Out-of-State 5% 14%

Campus

Northern Illinois University of Saint Francis
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than University of Saint Francis based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 1,903 students)

Northern Illinois vs. University of Saint Francis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or University of Saint Francis?

  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is 235.8% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($32,870.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 235.8% higher at University of Saint Francis than Northern Illinois University ($32,870.00 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 Saint Francis ($13,884 vs. $18,162)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne are 1.8% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($11,220 vs. $11,420)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University as University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne students is 98.1% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($24,860 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. University of Saint Francis Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or University of Saint Francis? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Saint Francis or Northern Illinois .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 55 points higher than at University of Saint Francis (974)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of Saint Francis (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of Saint Francis students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • University of Saint Francis has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. University of Saint Francis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or University of Saint Francis? 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 Saint Francis and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne (56% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $5,600 more per year than University of Saint Francis graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $42,000)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,391 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Saint Francis graduates. ($23,859 vs. $25,250)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than University of Saint Francis graduates. ($246 vs. $261)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Saint Francis students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/