Eastern Illinois University vs Northern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University is a public university in Charleston, IL. Northern Illinois University is a public university in Dekalb, IL. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants and Northern Illinois University about 70%, making Eastern Illinois University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,786 a year at Eastern Illinois University after aid, and about $13,391 at Northern Illinois University. About 49% of students graduate at Northern Illinois University, compared with 46% at Eastern Illinois University. Ten years after enrolling, Northern Illinois University alumni earn a median of about $57,808, against $51,989 for Eastern Illinois University.
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- Is Eastern Illinois University or Northern Illinois University harder to get into?
- Eastern Illinois University is harder to get into. It admits about 65% of applicants, compared with 70% at Northern Illinois University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Eastern Illinois University or Northern Illinois University?
- Eastern Illinois University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,786 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,391 at Northern Illinois University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Eastern Illinois University and Northern Illinois University?
- Before aid, Eastern Illinois University costs about $26,996 a year and Northern Illinois University about $28,851. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Eastern Illinois University or Northern Illinois University?
- Eastern Illinois University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,828 there, against about $10,126 at Northern Illinois University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Eastern Illinois University or Northern Illinois University?
- Northern Illinois University is the larger of the two, with about 11,301 undergraduates against 4,188 at Eastern Illinois University.
- Does Eastern Illinois University or Northern Illinois University have a better graduation rate?
- Northern Illinois University has the higher graduation rate, at about 49% against 46% at Eastern Illinois University.
- Do graduates of Eastern Illinois University or Northern Illinois University earn more?
- Northern Illinois University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $57,808 ten years after enrolling, against about $51,989 for Eastern Illinois University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Eastern Illinois University and Northern Illinois University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Eastern Illinois University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Northern Illinois University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do Eastern Illinois University and Northern Illinois University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 880–1090 at Eastern Illinois University and 940–1170 at Northern Illinois University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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