Northern Illinois vs. BLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than BLC based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 899 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Bethany Lutheran College is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Bethany Lutheran College 12:1.

Northern Illinois vs. BLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or BLC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than BLC ($14,243 vs. $21,127).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany Lutheran College are 39.1% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($8,620 vs. $14,160).
• Bethany Lutheran College is 136.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $18,112 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.7% higher at BLC than at Northern Illinois University (about $18,112 more per year; $31,360.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany Lutheran College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany Lutheran College students is 38.1% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($19,865 vs. $14,387).

Northern Illinois vs. BLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or BLC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BLC and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bethany Lutheran College (1110) is 50 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming BLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Bethany Lutheran College 1040/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Bethany Lutheran College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; BLC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; BLC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BLC students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• Northern Illinois has a higher acceptance rate (69.8%) than BLC (39%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 34% at BLC.

Northern Illinois vs. BLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and BLC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Bethany Lutheran College's (53%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than BLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethany Lutheran College graduates have a $609 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, BLC graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($240 vs. $246).
• More BLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.