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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of West Alabama vs. Northeastern Illinois University comparison
University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Location Livingston, AL Chicago, IL
Setting Remote Rural Large City
Enrollment 6,194 5,504
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #736
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 $10,343
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $20,686
Room & Board $8,166 $10,742
Avg Net Price $14,781 $14,669
Avg Grant Aid $7,790 $12,560
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 85%

Admission

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,041 8,481
Admitted 1,778 5,971
Acceptance Rate 87.1% 70.4%
Enrolled % 17.7% 9.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.1
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/22 15/21
SAT Range 820/978 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama Northeastern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
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 13% 9%
% Women 44% 18%
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 77% 98%
% Out-of-State 21% 1%

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 (6,194 students vs. 5,504 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 13.7% more expensive to attend than University of West Alabama for in-state tuition ($10,343.00 vs. $9,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.7% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than University of West Alabama ($20,686.00 vs. $18,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than University of West Alabama ($14,669 vs. $14,781)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 31.5% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($8,166 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of West Alabama than Northeastern Illinois University (93% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 61.2% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($12,560 vs. $7,790)

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 (87.1%) than Northeastern Illinois University (70.4%)

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/