Overview
Northern Illinois University is a selective public university with a focus on research. The DeKalb campus is home to seven colleges with 46 schools and departments, and students can take advantage of regional centers in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, Hoffman Estates, and Oregon, IL, as well. Freshman, sophomores, and transfer students can apply to the Research Rookies program which connects students with faculty to conduct small research projects in the student’s chosen field of interest.
Acceptance Rate:
71%
Average Net Price:
$14,397
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.4
Average ACT Composite
22
Average SAT Composite
1070
Virtual Tour
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $12,506 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $12,506 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $12,800 |
| Books and Supplies | $1300 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
67%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
45%
Average Aid Per Year
$12,552
45%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,808
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$6,068
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
61%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4969
95%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,808
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$76,485,408
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$11,944,614
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
59%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,377
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$18,251
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$216
Students receiving federal loans
59%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,214
Average Other Loans Per Year
$12,050
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
25961
Students Applied
76%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
1252
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
No
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
No
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Regular Decision | August 1 |
Application Fee
$40
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
26%
Submitting ACT
84%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 22
Average SAT Composite: 1070
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.4
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
15,649
Total Number of Undergrads
11,429
0
100
27%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
48%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
14:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- ROTC Army
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
89
Faculty Overview
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
40
Countries Represented
47
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
38%
Student Organizations
249
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
28%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
No
0
100
34%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Huskies
School Colors
red and black
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Mid-American Conference
Total Male Athletes
242
Total Female Athletes
161
Intramural Sports
15
Sports Club
8
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Wrestling
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Northern Illinois University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$49,800
Top 5 Cities
Chicago
Rockford
Phoenix
Denver
Los Angeles
Top 5 Employers
Northern Illinois University
Allstate
Walgreens
AbbVie
Sears Holdings Corporation
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Education
Sales
Operations
Information Technology
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$18,251
Loan Default Rate
7%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$216
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingSome of the classes are pretty difficult and take a lot of studying, but this is a good thing. I have learned more from my Engineering class than in any other class I taken my entire life. The class sizes vary. I have had some classes with only 15-20 people, but others with 100 people. The teachers are mostly great. They understand that they need to entertain students, but leave the actual work up to them. They leave it up to you to earn the grade.
Erik from Hanover Park, IL
Since attending Northern Illinois University I have learned a tremendous amount of information. Previous college's reminded me of high school level agenda; here were working towards becoming better and brighter students, who are at the top of the educational abilities.
Calvin from Island Lake, IL
the academics here are amazing and they also have a really good reputation. They have plenty of different clubs and organizations available that are strictly for education purposes. Your college advisors are there to help you and if your willing, they will also be willing to go out of their way to make sure your college years are successful.
emmanuella from Round Lake Beach, IL
The classes at NIU can be very challenging. Along with the material you learn in class, you will also learn very good time management skills, public speaking skills, and other useful skills that are essential for the real world. You learn how to interview, how to network with employers, ethics, etc.
Brittany
Northern's classes do have the most updated information and the teachers will help you learn everything there is to know about a subject. Although it may become frustrating there is always someone to help.
Latoya from Matteson, IL
I visited NIU for an open house and got to visit a lot of the faclities as well as the teachers. The teachers seem to want to help students and very friendly. Some classes are small so indivudual attention is there, but some are very large.
Beca from Chicago, IL
Northern Illinois University is a pretty good school with a lot of good opportunities. It's kind of surrounded by cornfields, but it's close enough to Chicago to get away from that. It's been a great experience so far.
Rehtse
When It comes to a great college with excellent advisors and counselors, It's Northern Illinois University. They provide multiple opportunities in which are available to everyone to help them to become successful adults. Every one is so friendly and they make u feel right at home.
Jasmine Franklin from Chicago, IL
The classes vary from easiness but have a challenge when it comes to writing papers and exams. Overall, learning a lot.
Beatriz from Chicago, IL
I really am learning a lot here at NIU. The teachers here are great and are always true to their office hours and very willing to help you in understanding concepts that stump you. If they are too busy or you are in a large class there are always tutors around and willing to aid you in learning as well as studying. Some tutors may be paid for private services, but free services for every department and class are easily found and prove to be very helpful. In addition to this, there are always ways to double check to be confident in your selection in professors there are reviews to hear what other students have to say about the teachers that they have had in the past.
Katrina from Plainfield, IL
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