Northern Illinois vs. Waubonsee

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Waubonsee based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 8,305 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Waubonsee Community College is in Sugar Grove, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Waubonsee Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Waubonsee Community College 21:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Waubonsee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Waubonsee ? 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 Waubonsee Community College than Northern Illinois ($12,754 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 37.6% lower than at Waubonsee Community College ($14,160 vs. $22,700).
• Northern Illinois University is 41.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Waubonsee (about $3,858 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $9,390.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Northern Illinois than at Waubonsee Community College (about $2,771 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $10,477.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Waubonsee Community College (98% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 137.6% larger than aid received by Waubonsee Community College students ($14,387 vs. $6,055).

Northern Illinois vs. Waubonsee Admissions comparison

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

• Waubonsee Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Waubonsee - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.

Northern Illinois vs. Waubonsee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Waubonsee ? 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).

• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Waubonsee graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Waubonsee Community College graduates have a $17,359 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($6,500 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, Waubonsee graduates have an estimated $179 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($67 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Waubonsee students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 43%)

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.