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ISU Southern Illinois University UIC EIU DePaul Illinois WMU Bradley University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Loyola Northwest Lewis University| Northern Illinois University | Western Illinois University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Northern Illinois | Western Illinois University | ||
| Location | Dekalb, IL | Macomb, IL | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 15,649 | 7,643 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #454 | #579 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | niu.edu | wiu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northern Illinois | Western Illinois University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,790 | $9,515 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,790 | $9,515 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,420 | $10,500 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,884 | $11,213 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $12,552 | $15,632 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 94% |
Admission |
Northern Illinois | Western Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 25,961 | 9,219 | ||
| Admitted | 18,348 | 6,914 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 70.7% | 75% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.3% | 15.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.3 | 3.45 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1170 | 880/1090 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Northern Illinois | Western Illinois University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 13:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northern Illinois | Western Illinois University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 53% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,600 | $46,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 61% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,859 | $24,704 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $246 | $255 |
Diversity |
Northern Illinois | Western Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 43% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 57% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 57% | 62% | ||
| % Black | 16% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 15% | 11% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 2% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
Northern Illinois | Western Illinois University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 89% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 10% | ||
Campus |
Northern Illinois | Western Illinois University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Illinois University is larger than than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 7,643 students)
Northern Illinois vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Western Illinois University?
- Northern Illinois University is 2.9% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($9,790.00 vs. $9,515.00)
- Out of state tuition is 2.9% higher at Northern Illinois than Western Illinois University ($9,790.00 vs. $9,515.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Northern Illinois ($11,213 vs. $13,884)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 8.8% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,500 vs. $11,420)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 24.5% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($15,632 vs. $12,552)
Northern Illinois vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Western Illinois University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western Illinois University or Northern Illinois .
- The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 59 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
- Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
- Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
- Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)
Northern Illinois vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northern Illinois or Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University and Northern Illinois.
- The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Western Illinois University (56% vs. 53%)
- Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $1,600 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $46,000)
- Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $845 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $24,704)
- Northern Illinois graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($246 vs. $255)
- More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 61%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/