Northern Illinois University vs Northwestern University
Northern Illinois University is a public university in Dekalb, IL, and Northwestern University is a private university in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 8% of applicants against 70% at Northern Illinois University. Northern Illinois University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $13,391 a year against $29,167 at Northwestern University. About 96% of students graduate at Northwestern University, compared with 49% at Northern Illinois University. Ten years after enrolling, Northwestern University alumni earn a median of about $89,363, against $57,808 for Northern Illinois University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Dekalb, IL
Evanston, IL
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
11,301
9,201
Acceptance rate
70%
8%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.37–3.87
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
940–1170
1510–1570
ACT (middle 50%)
19–25
33–35
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,391
$29,167
Full cost / yr
$28,851
$91,250
In-state tuition
$13,248
$68,322
Out-of-state tuition
$13,248
$68,322
Application fee
Not reported
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,126
$1,764
$30k - $48k
$9,854
$6,099
$48k - $75k
$12,797
$7,898
$75k - $110k
$17,612
$18,282
Over $110k
$21,834
$48,777
Outcomes
Graduation rate
49%
96%
Freshman retention
70%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,113
$76,844
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,808
$89,363
Median debt at graduation
$22,162
$15,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
47%
19%
First-generation students
38%
15%
International students
2%
12%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Jan 4
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 Northwestern University harder to get into?
- Northwestern University is harder to get into. It admits about 8% 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, Northern Illinois University or Northwestern University?
- Northern Illinois University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,391 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,167 at Northwestern 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 Northern Illinois University and Northwestern University?
- Before aid, Northern Illinois University costs about $28,851 a year and Northwestern University about $91,250. 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 Northwestern University?
- Northwestern University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,764 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, Northern Illinois University or Northwestern University?
- Northern Illinois University is the larger of the two, with about 11,301 undergraduates against 9,201 at Northwestern University.
- Does Northern Illinois University or Northwestern University have a better graduation rate?
- Northwestern University has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 49% at Northern Illinois University.
- Do graduates of Northern Illinois University or Northwestern University earn more?
- Northwestern University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $89,363 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 Northwestern University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Northern Illinois University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Northwestern University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Northern Illinois University and Northwestern University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 940–1170 at Northern Illinois University and 1510–1570 at Northwestern University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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