Northern Illinois vs. KWC

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

Northern Illinois University
Kentucky Wesleyan College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northern Illinois (69.8% admitted vs 71.6%). Typical SAT 1060 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northern Illinois. Average net price is $14,243 vs $20,999 at KWC.
  • Graduation: Northern Illinois 56% vs KWC 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northern Illinois $47,600 vs KWC $38,500 (median).
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Key differences

Northern Illinois University Kentucky Wesleyan College
Acceptance rate
Northern Illinois more selective
Northern Illinois69.8%
KWC71.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northern Illinois higher
Northern Illinois940-1170
KWC890-1130
Average net price
Northern Illinois $6,756 less
Northern Illinois$14,243
KWC$20,999
In-state tuition
Northern Illinois $21,425 less
Northern Illinois$13,248
KWC$34,673
Out-of-state tuition
Northern Illinois $21,425 less
Northern Illinois$13,248
KWC$34,673
Graduation rate
Northern Illinois +12 pts
Northern Illinois56%
KWC44%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northern Illinois +$9,100
Northern Illinois$47,600
KWC$38,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northern Illinois 23,651
  • KWC 2,113
  • Admitted
  • Northern Illinois 16,505
  • KWC 1,513
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northern Illinois 69.8%
  • KWC 71.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northern Illinois 12.1%
  • KWC 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northern Illinois 1060
  • KWC 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northern Illinois 22
  • KWC 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northern Illinois 3.3
  • KWC 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northern Illinois B+
  • KWC B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Northern Illinois Easy
  • KWC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Northern Illinois Low
  • KWC Low
  • SAT range
  • Northern Illinois 940-1170
  • KWC 890-1130
  • ACT range
  • Northern Illinois 19-25
  • KWC 16-23
  • Submit test scores
  • Northern Illinois Test-free
  • KWC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027
  • KWC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • KWC $34,673
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • KWC $34,673
  • Room & board
  • Northern Illinois $14,160
  • KWC $11,855
  • Average net price
  • Northern Illinois $14,243
  • KWC $20,999
  • Average grant aid
  • Northern Illinois $14,387
  • KWC $25,538
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northern Illinois 98%
  • KWC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northern Illinois 56%
  • KWC 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northern Illinois $47,600
  • KWC $38,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northern Illinois 61%
  • KWC 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northern Illinois $23,859
  • KWC $22,907
  • Median loan payment
  • Northern Illinois $246
  • KWC $236
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northern Illinois 15:1
  • KWC 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northern Illinois
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • KWC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Northern Illinois Dekalb, IL
  • KWC Owensboro, KY
  • Setting
  • Northern Illinois Small Suburban
  • KWC Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northern Illinois 15,414
  • KWC 887
  • Type
  • Northern Illinois Public 4 Year
  • KWC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northern Illinois #498
  • KWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting).
  • Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 16.3% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,855 vs. $14,160).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 161.7% higher at KWC than at Northern Illinois University (about $21,425 more per year; $34,673 vs. $13,248).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 77.5% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($25,538 vs. $14,387).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Northern Illinois than at KWC (22 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northern Illinois, test optional at KWC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Northern Illinois students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at KWC (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 17.7% at KWC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $952 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($22,907 vs. $23,859).
  • Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($236 vs. $246).
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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