Northern Illinois vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

Northern Illinois vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Northern Illinois ($13,134 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 22.8% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($10,926 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 49.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,384 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.3% higher at NSU than at Northern Illinois University (about $6,404 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 18.9% larger than aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students ($14,387 vs. $12,098).

Northern Illinois vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Illinois University (1060) is 50 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 37.4% at NSU.

Northern Illinois vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduates have a $2,328 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($21,531 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($222 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.