EIU vs. NSU

Should I go to Eastern Illinois University or Northern State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if EIU or NSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Eastern Illinois University vs. Northern State University comparison
Eastern Illinois University Northern State University College 3 College 4
Eastern Illinois University
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Overview

EIU NSU
Location Charleston, IL Aberdeen, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 8,857 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #672 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

EIU NSU
Tuition (In State) $9,709 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $12,136 $10,718
Room & Board $10,812 $9,150
Avg Net Price $13,380 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $11,773 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

EIU NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,584 1,322
Admitted 7,873 1,033
Acceptance Rate 68% 78.1%
Enrolled % 11.1% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 900/1120 800/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

EIU NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

EIU NSU
Graduation Rate 59% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $244 $252

Diversity

EIU NSU
% Men 42% 37%
% Women 58% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 83%
% Black 19% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

EIU NSU
% In-State 91% 69%
% Out-of-State 7% 30%

Campus

EIU NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 3,344 students)

EIU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or NSU?

  • Eastern Illinois University is 27.5% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($9,709.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.2% higher at EIU than Northern State University ($12,136.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than NSU ($13,380 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 18.2% lower than costs at Eastern Illinois University ($9,150 vs. $10,812)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Northern State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 106% larger than aid received Northern State University ($11,773 vs. $5,715)

EIU vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or EIU .

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 14 points higher than at EIU (1010)
  • Incoming EIU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at NSU (3.37)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than EIU (68%)

EIU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and EIU.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Northern State University (59% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $6,100 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $37,400)
  • Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $749 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($23,650 vs. $24,399)
  • EIU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($244 vs. $252)
  • More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/