Northern Illinois vs. Wright State

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Wright State University Main Campus in Dayton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Wright State based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 10,603 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Wright State University Main Campus is in Dayton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wright State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Wright State University Main Campus 16:1.

Northern Illinois vs. Wright State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Wright State? 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 Wright State ($14,243 vs. $15,254).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wright State University Main Campus are 20.6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,250 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 15% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wright State (about $1,726 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $11,522.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.2% higher at Wright State than at Northern Illinois University (about $7,974 more per year; $21,222.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Wright State University Main Campus (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 60.9% larger than aid received by Wright State University Main Campus students ($14,387 vs. $8,942).

Northern Illinois vs. Wright State Admissions comparison

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

• Wright State University Main Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wright State University Main Campus (1070) is 10 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Wright State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Wright State University Main Campus 913/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Wright State University Main Campus 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; Wright State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; Wright State Aug 23, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wright State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Wright State has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 20.4% at Wright State.

Northern Illinois vs. Wright State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and Wright State? 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).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Wright State University Main Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Wright State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,141 lower median loan debt than Wright State graduates ($23,859 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wright State graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wright State students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 51%)

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.