Aurora University vs. Northern Illinois

Aurora University and Northern Illinois University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Aurora University
Northern Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northern Illinois (69.8% admitted vs 80.9%). Typical SAT 1060 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northern Illinois. Average net price is $14,243 vs $19,053 at Aurora University.
  • Graduation: Aurora University 44% vs Northern Illinois 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Aurora University $42,900 vs Northern Illinois $47,600 (median).
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Key differences

Aurora University Northern Illinois University
Acceptance rate
Northern Illinois more selective
Aurora University80.9%
Northern Illinois69.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northern Illinois higher
Aurora University900-1150
Northern Illinois940-1170
Average net price
Northern Illinois $4,810 less
Aurora University$19,053
Northern Illinois$14,243
In-state tuition
Northern Illinois $15,922 less
Aurora University$29,170
Northern Illinois$13,248
Out-of-state tuition
Northern Illinois $15,922 less
Aurora University$29,170
Northern Illinois$13,248
Graduation rate
Northern Illinois +12 pts
Aurora University44%
Northern Illinois56%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northern Illinois +$4,700
Aurora University$42,900
Northern Illinois$47,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Aurora University 5,384
  • Northern Illinois 23,651
  • Admitted
  • Aurora University 4,353
  • Northern Illinois 16,505
  • Acceptance rate
  • Aurora University 80.9%
  • Northern Illinois 69.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Aurora University 15.6%
  • Northern Illinois 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Aurora University 1030
  • Northern Illinois 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • Aurora University 25
  • Northern Illinois 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Aurora University 3.56
  • Northern Illinois 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Aurora University A-
  • Northern Illinois B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Aurora University Moderate
  • Northern Illinois Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Aurora University
  • Northern Illinois Low
  • SAT range
  • Aurora University 900-1150
  • Northern Illinois 940-1170
  • ACT range
  • Aurora University 21-29
  • Northern Illinois 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Aurora University Test optional
  • Northern Illinois Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Aurora University
  • Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Aurora University $29,170
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Aurora University $29,170
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Room & board
  • Aurora University $13,580
  • Northern Illinois $14,160
  • Average net price
  • Aurora University $19,053
  • Northern Illinois $14,243
  • Average grant aid
  • Aurora University $21,513
  • Northern Illinois $14,387
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Aurora University 99%
  • Northern Illinois 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Aurora University 44%
  • Northern Illinois 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Aurora University $42,900
  • Northern Illinois $47,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Aurora University 63%
  • Northern Illinois 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Aurora University $22,337
  • Northern Illinois $23,859
  • Median loan payment
  • Aurora University $230
  • Northern Illinois $246
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Aurora University 18:1
  • Northern Illinois 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Aurora University
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Northern Illinois
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Aurora University Aurora, IL
  • Northern Illinois Dekalb, IL
  • Setting
  • Aurora University Large Suburban
  • Northern Illinois Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Aurora University 5,923
  • Northern Illinois 15,414
  • Type
  • Aurora University Private 4 Year
  • Northern Illinois Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Aurora University #734
  • Northern Illinois #498

Comparable Facts

Compare Aurora University in Aurora, IL with Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Aurora University based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 5,923 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Aurora University is located in Aurora, IL (Large Suburban setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
  • Aurora University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Aurora University 18:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aurora University are 4.1% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,580 vs. $14,160).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 120.2% higher at Aurora University than at Northern Illinois University (about $15,922 more per year; $29,170 vs. $13,248).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aurora University than at Northern Illinois University (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aurora University students is 49.5% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($21,513 vs. $14,387).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Aurora University than at Northern Illinois (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Aurora University, test-free at Northern Illinois.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Aurora University average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at Northern Illinois (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Aurora University vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Aurora University graduates have a $1,522 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($22,337 vs. $23,859).
  • Among borrowers, Aurora University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($230 vs. $246).
  • More Aurora University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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