Overview
Enrollment
Northeastern Illinois University is located in the North Park neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago, approximately 8 miles from downtown. The 67-acre urban campus features a mix of modern and mid-century buildings, including the distinctive Brutalist-style Bernard Brommel Hall. Established in 1867 as a teacher training institution, NEIU has evolved into a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs across arts and sciences, education, and business. The university maintains a less selective admission policy and serves a diverse student population, with particular strength in its education and social work programs. While primarily a commuter campus, NEIU offers limited on-campus housing through The Nest residence hall, which opened in 2016.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Northeastern Illinois University is rated within the lower 43% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Northeastern Illinois University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#736 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#256 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#36 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#10 in Best Public Colleges in Illinois
#91 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 810/1010 |
| ACT | 15/21 |
| GPA | 3.1 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jul 15, 2026 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $30 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Illinois Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,400 |
| Other Fees | $2,040 |
| Estimated Off Campus Cost of Living | $10,742 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $7,218 |
| Total One Year Cost | $32,743 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,400 |
| Other Fees | $2,040 |
| Estimated Off Campus Cost of Living | $10,742 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $7,218 |
| Total One Year Cost | $43,086 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Education | 14% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 10% |
| Social Sciences | 9% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Northeastern Illinois University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147776 IPEDS survey data for Northeastern Illinois University.
Current students may use the Northeastern Illinois University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025