Northern Illinois University (NIU) is located in DeKalb, Illinois, approximately 65 miles west of Chicago in a mid-sized suburban setting. Established in 1895 as a teachers college, NIU has evolved into a comprehensive public research institution spread across a 756-acre main campus characterized by its mix of modern and traditional collegiate architecture. The university is recognized for its programs in business, engineering, education, and nursing, while its College of Visual and Performing Arts maintains a strong regional presence. NIU operates as a primarily residential campus with multiple housing options for students, including traditional residence halls and apartment-style living communities. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Huskies in the Mid-American Conference, with football and basketball serving as prominent sports programs.
Northern Illinois is rated within the top 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings for Northern Illinois University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
SAT | 940/1170 |
ACT | 19/25 |
GPA | 3.3 |
Applications Due | Aug 1, 2025 |
Applicant Competition | Low |
Application Fee | $0 |
Fee | Cost |
---|---|
Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
Other Fees | $2,872 |
Room and Board | $11,420 |
Budget for Other Expenses | $2,440 |
Total One Year Cost | $27,822 |
Subject | Percent of Class |
---|---|
Business | 18% |
Health Professions | 15% |
Social Sciences | 11% |
Education | 9% |
Communication | 9% |
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CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Northern Illinois University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147703 IPEDS survey data for Northern Illinois University.
Current students may use the Northern Illinois University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024