Northern Illinois vs. NKU

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

Northern Illinois NKU
Location Dekalb, IL Highland Heights, KY
Setting Small Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 15,649 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois NKU
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $20,464
Room & Board $11,420 $11,248
Avg Net Price $13,884 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Northern Illinois NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 6,905
Admitted 18,348 5,939
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 86%
Enrolled % 13.3% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 940/1170 1030/1290
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 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Northern Illinois NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois NKU
Graduation Rate 56% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $246 $257

Diversity

Northern Illinois NKU
% Men 46% 36%
% Women 54% 64%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 82%
% Black 16% 7%
% Hispanic 15% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Northern Illinois NKU
% In-State 93% 66%
% Out-of-State 5% 26%

Campus

Northern Illinois NKU
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 Kentucky University is larger than than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 15,649 students)

Northern Illinois vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 4.3% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 109% higher at NKU than Northern Illinois University ($20,464.00 vs. $9,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Northern Illinois ($7,259 vs. $13,884)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 1.5% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($11,248 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Northern Illinois University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 11.3% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($12,552 vs. $11,275)

Northern Illinois vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 39 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northern Illinois (22)
  • Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or NKU? 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 NKU and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Northern Kentucky University (56% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $7,900 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $1,091 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($23,859 vs. $24,950)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($246 vs. $257)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 53%)

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