Northern Illinois University vs University of St Francis
Northern Illinois University is a public university in Dekalb, IL. University of St Francis is a private university in Joliet, IL. University of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants and Northern Illinois University about 70%, making University of St Francis the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,006 a year at University of St Francis after aid, and about $13,391 at Northern Illinois University. About 66% of students graduate at University of St Francis, compared with 49% at Northern Illinois University. Ten years after enrolling, University of St Francis alumni earn a median of about $63,926, against $57,808 for Northern Illinois University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Dekalb, IL
Joliet, IL
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
11,301
1,223
Acceptance rate
70%
65%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.37–3.87
3.45–3.95
SAT (middle 50%)
940–1170
1030–1220
ACT (middle 50%)
19–25
20–32
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,391
$13,006
Full cost / yr
$28,851
$46,239
In-state tuition
$13,248
$38,110
Out-of-state tuition
$13,248
$38,110
Application fee
Not reported
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,126
$8,547
$30k - $48k
$9,854
$5,584
$48k - $75k
$12,797
$10,749
$75k - $110k
$17,612
$11,311
Over $110k
$21,834
$20,192
Outcomes
Graduation rate
49%
66%
Freshman retention
70%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,113
$56,648
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,808
$63,926
Median debt at graduation
$22,162
$21,079
Student body
Pell grant recipients
47%
39%
First-generation students
38%
42%
International students
2%
3%
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 University of St Francis harder to get into?
- University of St Francis 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, Northern Illinois University or University of St Francis?
- University of St Francis is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,006 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 Northern Illinois University and University of St Francis?
- Before aid, Northern Illinois University costs about $28,851 a year and University of St Francis about $46,239. 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 University of St Francis?
- University of St Francis. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,547 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 University of St Francis?
- Northern Illinois University is the larger of the two, with about 11,301 undergraduates against 1,223 at University of St Francis.
- Does Northern Illinois University or University of St Francis have a better graduation rate?
- University of St Francis has the higher graduation rate, at about 66% against 49% at Northern Illinois University.
- Do graduates of Northern Illinois University or University of St Francis earn more?
- University of St Francis alumni earn more on average: a median of about $63,926 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 University of St Francis require SAT or ACT scores?
- Northern Illinois University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of St Francis is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Northern Illinois University and University of St Francis look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 940–1170 at Northern Illinois University and 1030–1220 at University of St Francis. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Northern Illinois University vs University of ChicagoNorthern Illinois University vs Northwestern UniversityNorthern Illinois University vs DePaul UniversityUniversity of St Francis vs Illinois Wesleyan UniversityUniversity of St Francis vs Chicago State UniversityUniversity of St Francis vs Governors State University
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