UIC vs. Northern Illinois

Should I go to University of Illinois at Chicago or Northern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UIC or Northern Illinois is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Loyola ISU Southern Illinois University IIT ISU Illinois Western Illinois University UC UB Michigan State UChicago University of Illinois at Springfield
University of Illinois at Chicago vs. Northern Illinois University comparison
University of Illinois at Chicago Northern Illinois University College 3 College 4
University of Illinois at Chicago Northern Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UIC Northern Illinois
Location Chicago, IL Dekalb, IL
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 33,747 15,649
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #234 #454
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uic.edu niu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UIC Northern Illinois
Tuition (In State) $10,970 $9,790
Tuition (Out of State) $25,578 $9,790
Room & Board $14,400 $11,420
Avg Net Price $10,384 $13,884
Avg Grant Aid $13,813 $12,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 99%

Admission

UIC Northern Illinois
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 23,562 25,961
Admitted 18,541 18,348
Acceptance Rate 78.7% 70.7%
Enrolled % 22.9% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/30 19/25
SAT Range 1110/1340 940/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

UIC Northern Illinois
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)

Outcomes

UIC Northern Illinois
Graduation Rate 54% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $23,859
Median Loan Payment $193 $246

Diversity

UIC Northern Illinois
% Men 44% 46%
% Women 56% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 34% 57%
% Black 8% 16%
% Hispanic 28% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

UIC Northern Illinois
% In-State 88% 93%
% Out-of-State 5% 5%

Campus

UIC Northern Illinois
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Illinois at Chicago is larger than than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (33,747 students vs. 15,649 students)

UIC vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or Northern Illinois?

  • University of Illinois at Chicago is 12.1% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($10,970.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 161.3% higher at UIC than Northern Illinois University ($25,578.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Illinois at Chicago than Northern Illinois ($10,384 vs. $13,884)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 26.1% lower than costs at University of Illinois at Chicago ($11,420 vs. $14,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than University of Illinois at Chicago (99% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois at Chicago students is 10% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($13,813 vs. $12,552)

UIC vs. Northern Illinois Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or Northern Illinois? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northern Illinois or UIC .

  • The average SAT score at University of Illinois at Chicago (1092) is 63 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman UIC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • UIC has a higher acceptance rate (78.7%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

UIC vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UIC or Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois and UIC.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than University of Illinois at Chicago (56% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of Illinois at Chicago earn on average $14,300 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $47,600)
  • University of Illinois at Chicago students graduate with a $5,109 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($18,750 vs. $23,859)
  • UIC graduates are paying $53 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($193 vs. $246)
  • More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/