Lewis University vs. Northern Illinois

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

Lewis University
Northern Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northern Illinois (69.8% admitted vs 71.3%). Typical SAT 1060 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northern Illinois. Average net price is $14,243 vs $18,959 at Lewis University.
  • Graduation: Lewis University 63% vs Northern Illinois 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lewis University $51,500 vs Northern Illinois $47,600 (median).
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Key differences

Lewis University Northern Illinois University
Acceptance rate
Northern Illinois more selective
Lewis University71.3%
Northern Illinois69.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lewis University higher
Lewis University960-1210
Northern Illinois940-1170
Average net price
Northern Illinois $4,716 less
Lewis University$18,959
Northern Illinois$14,243
In-state tuition
Northern Illinois $25,952 less
Lewis University$39,200
Northern Illinois$13,248
Out-of-state tuition
Northern Illinois $25,952 less
Lewis University$39,200
Northern Illinois$13,248
Graduation rate
Lewis University +7 pts
Lewis University63%
Northern Illinois56%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lewis University +$3,900
Lewis University$51,500
Northern Illinois$47,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lewis University 6,302
  • Northern Illinois 23,651
  • Admitted
  • Lewis University 4,493
  • Northern Illinois 16,505
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lewis University 71.3%
  • Northern Illinois 69.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lewis University 15.3%
  • Northern Illinois 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lewis University 1090
  • Northern Illinois 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lewis University 23
  • Northern Illinois 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lewis University 3.6
  • Northern Illinois 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lewis University A-
  • Northern Illinois B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Lewis University Moderate
  • Northern Illinois Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Lewis University Low
  • Northern Illinois Low
  • SAT range
  • Lewis University 960-1210
  • Northern Illinois 940-1170
  • ACT range
  • Lewis University 20-27
  • Northern Illinois 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Lewis University Test optional
  • Northern Illinois Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Lewis University
  • Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lewis University $39,200
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lewis University $39,200
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Room & board
  • Lewis University $12,140
  • Northern Illinois $14,160
  • Average net price
  • Lewis University $18,959
  • Northern Illinois $14,243
  • Average grant aid
  • Lewis University $28,717
  • Northern Illinois $14,387
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lewis University 100%
  • Northern Illinois 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lewis University 63%
  • Northern Illinois 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lewis University $51,500
  • Northern Illinois $47,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lewis University 66%
  • Northern Illinois 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lewis University $24,625
  • Northern Illinois $23,859
  • Median loan payment
  • Lewis University $254
  • Northern Illinois $246
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lewis University 13:1
  • Northern Illinois 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lewis University
    • Business (25%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Transportation and Materials Moving (9%)
  • Northern Illinois
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Lewis University Romeoville, IL
  • Northern Illinois Dekalb, IL
  • Setting
  • Lewis University Large Suburban
  • Northern Illinois Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Lewis University 7,011
  • Northern Illinois 15,414
  • Type
  • Lewis University Private 4 Year
  • Northern Illinois Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lewis University #402
  • Northern Illinois #498

Comparable Facts

Compare Lewis University in Romeoville, 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 Lewis University based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 7,011 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lewis University is located in Romeoville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
  • Lewis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lewis University 13:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lewis University are 14.3% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,140 vs. $14,160).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 195.9% higher at Lewis University than at Northern Illinois University (about $25,952 more per year; $39,200 vs. $13,248).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis University than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis University students is 99.6% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($28,717 vs. $14,387).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Lewis University than at Northern Illinois (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Lewis University, test-free at Northern Illinois.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lewis University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Northern Illinois (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Lewis University vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $766 lower median loan debt than Lewis University graduates ($23,859 vs. $24,625).
  • Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lewis University graduates ($246 vs. $254).
  • More Lewis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation (66% 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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