Northern Illinois vs. MIAD

Northern Illinois University and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northern Illinois University
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MIAD (60.5% admitted vs 69.8%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northern Illinois. Average net price is $14,243 vs $27,579 at MIAD.
  • Graduation: Northern Illinois 56% vs MIAD 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northern Illinois $47,600 vs MIAD $36,000 (median).
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Key differences

Northern Illinois University Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Acceptance rate
MIAD more selective
Northern Illinois69.8%
MIAD60.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northern Illinois higher
Northern Illinois940-1170
MIAD940-1140
Average net price
Northern Illinois $13,336 less
Northern Illinois$14,243
MIAD$27,579
In-state tuition
Northern Illinois $30,495 less
Northern Illinois$13,248
MIAD$43,743
Out-of-state tuition
Northern Illinois $30,495 less
Northern Illinois$13,248
MIAD$43,743
Graduation rate
MIAD +1 pts
Northern Illinois56%
MIAD57%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northern Illinois +$11,600
Northern Illinois$47,600
MIAD$36,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northern Illinois 23,651
  • MIAD 1,039
  • Admitted
  • Northern Illinois 16,505
  • MIAD 629
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northern Illinois 69.8%
  • MIAD 60.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northern Illinois 12.1%
  • MIAD 33.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northern Illinois 1060
  • MIAD 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northern Illinois 22
  • MIAD 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northern Illinois 3.3
  • MIAD 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northern Illinois B+
  • MIAD B
  • Admissions standards
  • Northern Illinois Easy
  • MIAD Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Northern Illinois Low
  • MIAD Low
  • SAT range
  • Northern Illinois 940-1170
  • MIAD 940-1140
  • ACT range
  • Northern Illinois 19-25
  • MIAD 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Northern Illinois Test-free
  • MIAD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027
  • MIAD Aug 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • MIAD $43,743
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northern Illinois $13,248
  • MIAD $43,743
  • Room & board
  • Northern Illinois $14,160
  • MIAD $10,955
  • Average net price
  • Northern Illinois $14,243
  • MIAD $27,579
  • Average grant aid
  • Northern Illinois $14,387
  • MIAD $26,015
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northern Illinois 98%
  • MIAD 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northern Illinois 56%
  • MIAD 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northern Illinois $47,600
  • MIAD $36,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northern Illinois 61%
  • MIAD 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northern Illinois $23,859
  • MIAD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northern Illinois $246
  • MIAD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northern Illinois 15:1
  • MIAD 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northern Illinois
    • Business (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • MIAD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (87%)
    • Communications Technology (7%)
    • Architecture (6%)
  • Location
  • Northern Illinois Dekalb, IL
  • MIAD Milwaukee, WI
  • Setting
  • Northern Illinois Small Suburban
  • MIAD Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northern Illinois 15,414
  • MIAD 838
  • Type
  • Northern Illinois Public 4 Year
  • MIAD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northern Illinois #498
  • MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 838 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
  • Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 22.6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,955 vs. $14,160).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 230.2% higher at MIAD than at Northern Illinois University (about $30,495 more per year; $43,743 vs. $13,248).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 80.8% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($26,015 vs. $14,387).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at MIAD than at Northern Illinois (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northern Illinois, test optional at MIAD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northern Illinois average a 3.3 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at MIAD (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($246 vs. $279).
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIAD students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 59%).

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

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