Northern Illinois vs. Ferris State University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Ferris State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Ferris State University 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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Northern Illinois University vs. Ferris State University comparison
Northern Illinois University Ferris State University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Ferris State University
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Overview

Northern Illinois Ferris State University
Location Dekalb, IL Big Rapids, MI
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 15,649 10,072
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #791
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $13,076
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $13,076
Room & Board $11,420 $10,268
Avg Net Price $13,884 $13,978
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $11,128
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Northern Illinois Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 12,228
Admitted 18,348 10,746
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 87.9%
Enrolled % 13.3% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/23
SAT Range 940/1170 910/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

Northern Illinois Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 56% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $246 $250

Diversity

Northern Illinois Ferris State University
% Men 46% 45%
% Women 54% 55%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 79%
% Black 16% 8%
% Hispanic 15% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northern Illinois Ferris State University
% In-State 93% 92%
% Out-of-State 5% 6%

Campus

Northern Illinois Ferris State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Ferris State University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 10,072 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Ferris State University?

  • Ferris State University is 33.6% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($13,076.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.6% higher at Ferris State University than Northern Illinois University ($13,076.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Ferris State University ($13,884 vs. $13,978)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 11.2% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,268 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Ferris State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 12.8% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($12,552 vs. $11,128)

Northern Illinois vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Ferris State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Ferris State University or Northern Illinois .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 20 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have at the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Ferris State University? 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 Ferris State University and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Ferris State University (56% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $600 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $47,000)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $320 lower median federal student loan debt than Ferris State University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $24,179)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Ferris State University graduates. ($246 vs. $250)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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