Northern Illinois University vs Chamberlain University-Illinois
Northern Illinois University is a public university in Dekalb, IL, and Chamberlain University-Illinois is a private for-profit university in Addison, IL. Northern Illinois University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 70% of applicants against 83% at Chamberlain University-Illinois. Northern Illinois University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $13,391 a year against $31,837 at Chamberlain University-Illinois. About 49% of students graduate at Northern Illinois University, compared with 45% at Chamberlain University-Illinois. Ten years after enrolling, Chamberlain University-Illinois alumni earn a median of about $92,405, against $57,808 for Northern Illinois University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private (for-profit)
Location
Dekalb, IL
Addison, IL
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
11,301
14,027
Acceptance rate
70%
83%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.37–3.87
3.22–3.72
SAT (middle 50%)
940–1170
770–850
ACT (middle 50%)
19–25
14–17
Test policy
Test blind
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,391
$31,837
Full cost / yr
$28,851
$40,826
In-state tuition
$13,248
$21,536
Out-of-state tuition
$13,248
$21,536
Application fee
Not reported
$95
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,126
$30,013
$30k - $48k
$9,854
$30,090
$48k - $75k
$12,797
$34,050
$75k - $110k
$17,612
$32,607
Over $110k
$21,834
$40,826
Outcomes
Graduation rate
49%
45%
Freshman retention
70%
73%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,113
$84,533
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,808
$92,405
Median debt at graduation
$22,162
$20,919
Student body
Pell grant recipients
47%
33%
First-generation students
38%
47%
International students
2%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
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 Northern Illinois University or Chamberlain University-Illinois harder to get into?
- Northern Illinois University is harder to get into. It admits about 70% of applicants, compared with 83% at Chamberlain University-Illinois. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Northern Illinois University or Chamberlain University-Illinois?
- Northern Illinois University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,391 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $31,837 at Chamberlain University-Illinois. 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 Northern Illinois University and Chamberlain University-Illinois?
- Before aid, Northern Illinois University costs about $28,851 a year and Chamberlain University-Illinois about $40,826. 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, Northern Illinois University or Chamberlain University-Illinois?
- Northern Illinois University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,126 there, against about $30,013 at Chamberlain University-Illinois. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Northern Illinois University or Chamberlain University-Illinois?
- Chamberlain University-Illinois is the larger of the two, with about 14,027 undergraduates against 11,301 at Northern Illinois University.
- Does Northern Illinois University or Chamberlain University-Illinois have a better graduation rate?
- Northern Illinois University has the higher graduation rate, at about 49% against 45% at Chamberlain University-Illinois.
- Do graduates of Northern Illinois University or Chamberlain University-Illinois earn more?
- Chamberlain University-Illinois alumni earn more on average: a median of about $92,405 ten years after enrolling, against about $57,808 for Northern Illinois University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Northern Illinois University and Chamberlain University-Illinois require SAT or ACT scores?
- Northern Illinois University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Chamberlain University-Illinois considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
- What SAT scores do Northern Illinois University and Chamberlain University-Illinois look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 940–1170 at Northern Illinois University and 770–850 at Chamberlain University-Illinois. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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