Northern Illinois vs. Principia College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Principia College is in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Principia College 6:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Principia College are 1.8% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($13,910 vs. $14,160).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.8% higher at Principia College than at Northern Illinois University (about $21,432 more per year; $34,680 vs. $13,248).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Principia College (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 111.3% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($30,402 vs. $14,387).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Northern Illinois than at Principia College (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northern Illinois, not reported at Principia College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Principia College average a 3.34 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Northern Illinois (3.3).

Loans and repayment

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