Northeastern Illinois University

5/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Chicago, IL
4.0 1 review

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

5,734

Location Chicago, Illinois
Website neiu.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Large City

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing No
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

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.

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Ratings

Northeastern Illinois University is rated within the lower 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

Overall Rating

5 out of 10
Academics

3 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

4 out of 10
Value

6 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Northeastern Illinois University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

GPA 3.1

Acceptance Rate

74.6%

Applications Due Jul 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 8.5%
Application Fee $30

Applicant Competition Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Illinois Resident Tuition

$12,383

Out of State Resident Tuition

$22,726

Breakdown

Tuition $12,383
Books and Supplies $1,920
Other Fees $2,040
Estimated Off Campus Cost of Living $10,390
Budget for Other Expenses $5,767
Total One Year Cost $32,500

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$40,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

23% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Northeastern Illinois University are Business, Education, and Liberal Arts and Humanities. 20% of students major in Business, 14% in Education, and 10% in Liberal Arts and Humanities.