Northern Illinois vs. Carthage

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

Northern Illinois University
Carthage College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northern Illinois (69.8% admitted vs 87.1%). Typical SAT 1060 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northern Illinois. Average net price is $14,243 vs $27,066 at Carthage.
  • Graduation: Northern Illinois 56% vs Carthage 59%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northern Illinois $47,600 vs Carthage $48,800 (median).
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Key differences

Northern Illinois University Carthage College
Acceptance rate
Northern Illinois more selective
Northern Illinois69.8%
Carthage87.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carthage higher
Northern Illinois940-1170
Carthage1000-1205
Average net price
Northern Illinois $12,823 less
Northern Illinois$14,243
Carthage$27,066
In-state tuition
Northern Illinois $25,502 less
Northern Illinois$13,248
Carthage$38,750
Out-of-state tuition
Northern Illinois $25,502 less
Northern Illinois$13,248
Carthage$38,750
Graduation rate
Carthage +3 pts
Northern Illinois56%
Carthage59%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carthage +$1,200
Northern Illinois$47,600
Carthage$48,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northern Illinois 23,651
  • Carthage 7,777
  • Admitted
  • Northern Illinois 16,505
  • Carthage 6,771
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northern Illinois 69.8%
  • Carthage 87.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northern Illinois 12.1%
  • Carthage 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northern Illinois 1060
  • Carthage 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northern Illinois 22
  • Carthage 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northern Illinois 3.3
  • Carthage 3.36
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northern Illinois B+
  • Carthage B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Northern Illinois Easy
  • Carthage Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Northern Illinois Low
  • Carthage
  • SAT range
  • Northern Illinois 940-1170
  • Carthage 1000-1205
  • ACT range
  • Northern Illinois 19-25
  • Carthage 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Northern Illinois Test-free
  • Carthage Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027
  • Carthage
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Carthage $38,750
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Carthage $38,750
  • Room & board
  • Northern Illinois $14,160
  • Carthage $13,450
  • Average net price
  • Northern Illinois $14,243
  • Carthage $27,066
  • Average grant aid
  • Northern Illinois $14,387
  • Carthage $23,784
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northern Illinois 98%
  • Carthage 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northern Illinois 56%
  • Carthage 59%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northern Illinois $47,600
  • Carthage $48,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northern Illinois 61%
  • Carthage 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northern Illinois $23,859
  • Carthage $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northern Illinois $246
  • Carthage $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northern Illinois 15:1
  • Carthage 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northern Illinois
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Carthage
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • Northern Illinois Dekalb, IL
  • Carthage Kenosha, WI
  • Setting
  • Northern Illinois Small Suburban
  • Carthage Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Northern Illinois 15,414
  • Carthage 2,844
  • Type
  • Northern Illinois Public 4 Year
  • Carthage Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northern Illinois #498
  • Carthage #663

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 2,844 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carthage College are 5% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,450 vs. $14,160).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 192.5% higher at Carthage than at Northern Illinois University (about $25,502 more per year; $38,750 vs. $13,248).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 65.3% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($23,784 vs. $14,387).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at Carthage (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northern Illinois, test optional at Carthage.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Carthage average a 3.36 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Northern Illinois (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($246 vs. $279).
  • More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation (73% 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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