Northern Illinois University vs Western Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a public university in Dekalb, IL. Western Illinois University is a public university in Macomb, IL. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants and Western Illinois University about 71%, making Northern Illinois University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,937 a year at Western Illinois University after aid, and about $13,391 at Northern Illinois University. About 49% of students graduate at Northern Illinois University, compared with 45% at Western Illinois University. Ten years after enrolling, Northern Illinois University alumni earn a median of about $57,808, against $54,163 for Western Illinois University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Dekalb, IL
Macomb, IL
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
11,301
4,410
Acceptance rate
70%
71%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.37–3.87
3.3–3.8
SAT (middle 50%)
940–1170
880–1090
ACT (middle 50%)
19–25
18–24
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,391
$12,937
Full cost / yr
$28,851
$28,254
In-state tuition
$13,248
$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
$13,248
$15,264
Application fee
Not reported
$30
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,126
$6,941
$30k - $48k
$9,854
$8,787
$48k - $75k
$12,797
$12,062
$75k - $110k
$17,612
$16,294
Over $110k
$21,834
$19,701
Outcomes
Graduation rate
49%
45%
Freshman retention
70%
61%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,113
$43,057
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,808
$54,163
Median debt at graduation
$22,162
$25,251
Student body
Pell grant recipients
47%
28%
First-generation students
38%
38%
International students
2%
4%
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 Western Illinois University harder to get into?
- Northern Illinois University is harder to get into. It admits about 70% of applicants, compared with 71% at Western 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 Western Illinois University?
- Western Illinois University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,937 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 Western Illinois University?
- Before aid, Western Illinois University costs about $28,254 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, Northern Illinois University or Western Illinois University?
- Western Illinois University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $6,941 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 Western Illinois University?
- Northern Illinois University is the larger of the two, with about 11,301 undergraduates against 4,410 at Western Illinois University.
- Does Northern Illinois University or Western Illinois University have a better graduation rate?
- Northern Illinois University has the higher graduation rate, at about 49% against 45% at Western Illinois University.
- Do graduates of Northern Illinois University or Western Illinois University earn more?
- Northern Illinois University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $57,808 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,163 for Western Illinois University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Northern Illinois University and Western Illinois University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Northern Illinois University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Western Illinois University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Northern Illinois University and Western Illinois University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 940–1170 at Northern Illinois University and 880–1090 at Western Illinois University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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