Northern Illinois vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College ($14,243 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wartburg College are 17% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,750 vs. $14,160).
• Wartburg College is 98.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $13,002 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.1% higher at Wartburg College than at Northern Illinois University (about $13,002 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Wartburg College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 180.4% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($40,336 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wartburg College (1070) is 10 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Wartburg College has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Northern Illinois vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Wartburg College? 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Northern Illinois University's (56%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 61%)

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.