Loyola University Chicago vs Northern Illinois University
Loyola University Chicago is a private university in Chicago, IL, and Northern Illinois University is a public university in Dekalb, IL. Northern Illinois University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 70% of applicants against 82% at Loyola University Chicago. Northern Illinois University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $13,391 a year against $36,079 at Loyola University Chicago. About 75% of students graduate at Loyola University Chicago, compared with 49% at Northern Illinois University. Ten years after enrolling, Loyola University Chicago alumni earn a median of about $71,530, against $57,808 for Northern Illinois University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Chicago, IL
Dekalb, IL
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
11,737
11,301
Acceptance rate
82%
70%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.43–3.93
3.37–3.87
SAT (middle 50%)
1170–1360
940–1170
ACT (middle 50%)
27–32
19–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,079
$13,391
Full cost / yr
$67,408
$28,851
In-state tuition
$53,710
$13,248
Out-of-state tuition
$53,710
$13,248
Application fee
Not reported
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$28,992
$10,126
$30k - $48k
$28,663
$9,854
$48k - $75k
$32,432
$12,797
$75k - $110k
$36,853
$17,612
Over $110k
$42,346
$21,834
Outcomes
Graduation rate
75%
49%
Freshman retention
82%
70%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$58,411
$46,113
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,530
$57,808
Median debt at graduation
$24,157
$22,162
Student body
Pell grant recipients
24%
47%
First-generation students
28%
38%
International students
2%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Loyola University Chicago or Northern Illinois University harder to get into?
- Northern Illinois University is harder to get into. It admits about 70% of applicants, compared with 82% at Loyola University Chicago. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Loyola University Chicago or Northern Illinois University?
- Northern Illinois University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,391 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,079 at Loyola University Chicago. 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 Loyola University Chicago and Northern Illinois University?
- Before aid, Northern Illinois University costs about $28,851 a year and Loyola University Chicago about $67,408. 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, Loyola University Chicago or Northern Illinois University?
- Northern Illinois University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,126 there, against about $28,992 at Loyola University Chicago. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Loyola University Chicago or Northern Illinois University?
- Loyola University Chicago is the larger of the two, with about 11,737 undergraduates against 11,301 at Northern Illinois University.
- Does Loyola University Chicago or Northern Illinois University have a better graduation rate?
- Loyola University Chicago has the higher graduation rate, at about 75% against 49% at Northern Illinois University.
- Do graduates of Loyola University Chicago or Northern Illinois University earn more?
- Loyola University Chicago alumni earn more on average: a median of about $71,530 ten years after enrolling, against about $57,808 for Northern Illinois University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Loyola University Chicago and Northern Illinois University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Loyola University Chicago 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 Loyola University Chicago and Northern Illinois University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1170–1360 at Loyola University Chicago and 940–1170 at Northern Illinois University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Loyola University Chicago vs University of ChicagoLoyola University Chicago vs Northwestern UniversityLoyola University Chicago vs DePaul UniversityNorthern Illinois University vs University of ChicagoNorthern Illinois University vs Northwestern UniversityNorthern Illinois University vs DePaul University
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