Northern Illinois vs. UIU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than UIU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 3,941 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Upper Iowa University is in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Upper Iowa University 25:1.

Northern Illinois vs. UIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or UIU? 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 UIU ($14,243 vs. $20,426).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 28.5% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,121 vs. $14,160).
• Upper Iowa University is 47% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $6,227 more per year; $19,475.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47% higher at UIU than at Northern Illinois University (about $6,227 more per year; $19,475.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Upper Iowa University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 5.8% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($14,387 vs. $13,596).

Northern Illinois vs. UIU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or UIU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UIU and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Upper Iowa University (1070) is 10 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Upper Iowa University 970/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Upper Iowa University 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; UIU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UIU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 33.9% at UIU.

Northern Illinois vs. UIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and UIU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than UIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $141 lower median loan debt than UIU graduates ($23,859 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIU graduates ($246 vs. $248).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 50%)

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.