Northern Illinois vs. Central College

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

Northern Illinois University
Central College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northern Illinois (69.8% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 1060 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northern Illinois. Average net price is $14,243 vs $23,848 at Central College.
  • Graduation: Northern Illinois 56% vs Central College 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northern Illinois $47,600 vs Central College $48,000 (median).
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Key differences

Northern Illinois University Central College
Acceptance rate
Northern Illinois more selective
Northern Illinois69.8%
Central College86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northern Illinois higher
Northern Illinois940-1170
Central College1056-1120
Average net price
Northern Illinois $9,605 less
Northern Illinois$14,243
Central College$23,848
In-state tuition
Northern Illinois $7,740 less
Northern Illinois$13,248
Central College$20,988
Out-of-state tuition
Northern Illinois $7,740 less
Northern Illinois$13,248
Central College$20,988
Graduation rate
Central College +7 pts
Northern Illinois56%
Central College63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central College +$400
Northern Illinois$47,600
Central College$48,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northern Illinois 23,651
  • Central College 1,706
  • Admitted
  • Northern Illinois 16,505
  • Central College 1,470
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northern Illinois 69.8%
  • Central College 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northern Illinois 12.1%
  • Central College 21%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northern Illinois 1060
  • Central College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northern Illinois 22
  • Central College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northern Illinois 3.3
  • Central College 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northern Illinois B+
  • Central College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northern Illinois Easy
  • Central College Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Northern Illinois Low
  • Central College
  • SAT range
  • Northern Illinois 940-1170
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • ACT range
  • Northern Illinois 19-25
  • Central College 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Northern Illinois Test-free
  • Central College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027
  • Central College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Central College $20,988
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • Central College $20,988
  • Room & board
  • Northern Illinois $14,160
  • Central College $12,060
  • Average net price
  • Northern Illinois $14,243
  • Central College $23,848
  • Average grant aid
  • Northern Illinois $14,387
  • Central College $13,925
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northern Illinois 98%
  • Central College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northern Illinois 56%
  • Central College 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northern Illinois $47,600
  • Central College $48,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northern Illinois 61%
  • Central College 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northern Illinois $23,859
  • Central College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northern Illinois $246
  • Central College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northern Illinois 15:1
  • Central College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northern Illinois
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • Northern Illinois Dekalb, IL
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • Setting
  • Northern Illinois Small Suburban
  • Central College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northern Illinois 15,414
  • Central College 1,084
  • Type
  • Northern Illinois Public 4 Year
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northern Illinois #498
  • Central College #506

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Central College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 14.8% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,060 vs. $14,160).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 58.4% higher at Central College than at Northern Illinois University (about $7,740 more per year; $20,988 vs. $13,248).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Central College students ($14,387 vs. $13,925).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Central College than at Northern Illinois (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northern Illinois, test optional at Central College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Central College average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Northern Illinois (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 21% at Central College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation (78% 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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