University of West Alabama vs. Northeastern Illinois University

Should I go to University of West Alabama or Northeastern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of West Alabama or Northeastern Illinois University 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.

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University of West Alabama vs. Northeastern Illinois University comparison
University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University
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Overview

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Location Livingston, AL Chicago, IL
Setting Remote Rural Large City
Enrollment 5,860 5,756
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #629
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu neiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $10,091
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $20,182
Room & Board $7,820 $10,742
Avg Net Price $13,786 $14,262
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $15,143
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 85%

Admission

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 4,603
Admitted 2,156 2,886
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 62.7%
Enrolled % 14.4% 17.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.1
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/21 15/21
SAT Range 880/980 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 28% 23%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $14,500
Median Loan Payment $273 $149

Diversity

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
% Men 25% 39%
% Women 75% 61%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 33%
% Black 40% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 37%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
% In-State 81% 97%
% Out-of-State 13% 2%

Campus

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of West Alabama is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (5,860 students vs. 5,756 students)

University of West Alabama vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or Northeastern Illinois University?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 10.9% more expensive to attend than University of West Alabama for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $9,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.9% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than University of West Alabama ($20,182.00 vs. $18,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of West Alabama than Northeastern Illinois University ($13,786 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 37.4% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($7,820 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of West Alabama than Northeastern Illinois University (89% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 63% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($15,143 vs. $9,291)

University of West Alabama vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of West Alabama (930) is 60 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming University of West Alabama students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman University of West Alabama students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • University of West Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

University of West Alabama vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama or Northeastern 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 Northeastern Illinois University and University of West Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at University of West Alabama is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (28% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $1,500 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $38,500)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $11,989 lower median federal student loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates. ($14,500 vs. $26,489)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $124 less per month on federal student loans than University of West Alabama graduates. ($149 vs. $273)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 36%)

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