Northern Illinois vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 20.1% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,320 vs. $14,160).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at Western Illinois University than at Northern Illinois University (about $2,016 more per year; $15,264 vs. $13,248).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Western Illinois University (98% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($14,994 vs. $14,387).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northern Illinois than at Western Illinois University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Northern Illinois and Western Illinois University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $845 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($23,859 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.