Northern Illinois vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 6,822 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 12.9% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,340 vs. $14,160).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.8% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Northern Illinois University (about $17,202 more per year; $30,450 vs. $13,248).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University as at Saginaw Valley State University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($14,387 vs. $13,512).

Admissions details

• Incoming Northern Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at Saginaw Valley State University (22).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Northern Illinois, test optional at Saginaw Valley State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Saginaw Valley State University average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $3,141 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($23,859 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 48%).

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